Menston campaigners fear their village cannot cope with existing flooding and drainage problems without the prospect of further development.

Members of Menston Action Group (MAG) are continuing to oppose plans to about 300 houses on Greenfield sites in Derry Hill and Bingley Road, and are highlighting recent incidents of drainage problems and flooding ahead of meetings with Yorkshire Water to press their case.

The plans for two large housing estates were approved by Bradford Council in February – one for 175 houses at Derry Hill, by Barratt Homes, and another for 135 off Bingley Road, by Taylor Wimpey.

But these were delayed as residents mounted their ultimately unsuccessful village green appeal.

The group argued the fields are unsuitable for housing, and could leave the village prone to flooding – already a problem. without the extra 300 houses.

Dr Steve Ellams, a member of MAG, said: “Now that the monsoon season appears to have settled I would like to continue to highlight the flooding and drainage problems which Menston suffers irrespective of the weather and the possibility of an additional 300 plus houses.

“For the past three weeks an area of the village, Westbourne Drive, has had heavy plant machinery diverting sewage from one area to another.

“It appears this is a result of the old Victorian drains collapsing due to overwhelming pressure being placed upon them now.

“A resident’s driveway has collapsed due to the underground leakage from a 20ft depth and this has involved a sewer above and adjacent to it.

“The latest information is that this pipe, with a 30in diameter, runs under the main railway line from Ilkley to Leeds and Bradford via Menston and Guiseley.

“The problems have been there for years, nothing to do with climate change, it is as a direct result of an outdated overworked system that can’t cope now, never mind adding 300-plus houses.”

Villagers have raised £62,000 towards the MAG fighting fund which covers the legal costs of their campaign. The group collected more than 2,000 letters of objection to Bradford Council. Dr Ellams said that more than 35 per cent of them raised concerns about flooding and drainage.

Dr Ellams said: “We are in dialogue with Yorkshire Water who, all being well, are taking the issue seriously and have arranged meetings with our representatives in the village to discuss the long-term resolution of the on-going saga.”

Councillor Val Slater, executive member for housing planning and transport, said: “We acknowledge the concerns raised by the Menston Action Group.

“However any issues relating to the public sewage system are a matter for Yorkshire Water.

“The Council does discuss sewage and flooding issues with them on major planning applications and wider strategic issues.”