Angry campaigners are preparing to battle developers over controversial plans to build hundreds of homes on green fields.

Villagers in Menston have “grave concerns” about planned housing developments they say will destroy huge swathes of land which has previously been designated green belt.

Proposals to build 150 homes in Bingley Road and another 190 in Derry Hill, on sites overlooking the village, have led to a wave of opposition. Campaigners have now formed the Menston Action Group (MAG) to fight the proposals unveiled by developers Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Homes.

Philip Moore, a spokesman for MAG, said: “These developments are not necessary. There are plenty of brown- field and derelict sites that are under-developed and could be built on.”

He said villagers were angry about the prospect of two huge developments of homes, some of which would be more than two storeys high.

He said there would also be a major impact on the surrounding roads, including the A65, which has been named one of the most congested roads in the region.

Commuter traffic would also increase should the scheme go ahead, causing a knock-on effect in Guiseley, Baildon and Shipley, he warned.

Mr Moore said: “Many residents are not aware of the extent of the development and the adverse effects this will have on the village. There are grave concerns about this.”

In 2006 a Government inspector approved a change to planning regulations to allow homes to be built at the two sites, following a public inquiry.

A spokesman for the Council said the inspector had gone against its recommendations at the 2006 consultation.

However, Mr Moore said the group was “frustrated” that Bradford Council had not attempted to overturn the inspector’s ruling.

He said: “Residents are angry with local councillors who appear to have adopted a stance of damage limitation rather than opposing the development completely and feel that no account has been taken of the opinions of residents.”

A Bradford Council planning spokesman said: “The developers are in discussions with the Council but we have not received any planning applications as yet.

“The sites were originally within the green belt but an inspector at the public inquiry recommended that the sites were re-allocated as housing sites for release between 2009 and 2014, against Council recommendations.

“He noted that Menston had a variety of services and a railway station.”

Anyone who wants more information about the campaign should e-mail menston@hotmail.co.uk.