Families have set up camp on a land they claim is a village green in a bid to stop Bradford Council from building a children's home on it.

They have put a sign at the square's entrance in Low Moor, next to a street name saying 'Council free zone', and have settled into a caravan and three tents surrounded by placards.

The residents in Netherlands Square have made an official application to Bradford Council for the partly-wooded area to be designated a village green, which would protect it from development.

The bid to build the home is part of a scheme for five care homes across the district currently being considered by the Council which has sparked controversy among residents.

The Low Moor residents have complied with village green legislation which states they must prove the land has been used for recreation since 1970 by sending 49 signed statements that it has been used for play, dog walking and tennis.

They say it is in regular use by their children, 17 of whom are under the age of 16.

The statements include evidence from seven families who have lived on the square for three generations and say it is vital to keep the land for the community.

The residents say they are prepared to occupy the land round the clock unless the Council agreed not to submit its planning application for the home until their bid for village green designation had been considered.

Labour ward councillor Jim O'Neill said the village green application was put in a month ago and had not yet been considered. He also said the Council's planning application was 'imminent'.

"If the application was approved there is nothing to stop the Council bringing in machinery straight away to clear the site and cut down the trees it says it needs to get rid of.

"We think it would be absolutely wrong for the Council to get in first."

Major campaigns have also been launched to stop Council children's homes from being developed in East Morton and Thornton.

A planning application is being prepared for the land in Carr Lane, East Morton, and the Council is in the process of acquiring Sowden House in Thornton which would be turned into a home. Work has already started on two other homes in Allerton and Shipley.

Mother of three Tricia Smith, 42, said: "We need the Council to come and meet us here on this camp and see what we are losing. I feel they don't understand and are trying to steam roller us."

Arthur Worley, 77, and his wife Audrey,75, who have lived in the square for 50 years said their six children had used the grass and woodland as a playground.

They said their youngest son, David, now had a house on the square and his two youngsters also played there.

A Council spokesman said: "We have received the request for village green status and that will have to be considered by an independent inspector in due course.

"So far, no application has been submitted to the planning department for a children's home on the site so no time scale is currently set for the issue to be dealt with."

He said the homes were planned as a major part of their efforts to improve care for vulnerable children in the community."

The Council is planning an information surgery for the Netherlands Square residents at Aldersgate Methodist Church hall, Common Road, Low Moor, on Monday between 5.30 and 7pm.