A public hearing got under way yesterday to scrutinise plans for a residential development on fields particularly popular with sledgers.

The controversial plan to build about 54 homes on farmland near the grade II-listed Lower Blacup Farm in Cleckheaton, was turned down by Kirklees Council’s Heavy Woollen Planning Committee in March, to the delight of campaigners.

But developer Redrow has appealed to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate.

The hearing started at the Whitcliffe Hotel, Prospect Road, Cleckheaton, yesterday and is set to last two or three days.

Councillor Kath Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton) said developers should be looking to transform the town's brownfield sites instead of planning housing schemes on green fields.

She said councillors, residents and the Civic Society had combined forces to oppose Redrow’s appeal.

Councillors spoke against the proposal during yesterday’s hearing.

Coun Pinnock said Redrow’s main argument was that there was a “huge undersupply” of housing land in Kirklees.