Angry residents who claim their village is being turned into a commuter belt are fighting plans for more houses in the area.

Isobel Abbott of Clayton Lane in Clayton has organised a petition with more than 100 signatures from residents opposing a planning application to build five three-storey houses.

Mrs Abbott, 51, claims the development will be out of character with the historic village and will cause more traffic congestion.

She said: "I was born and bred in Clayton and the changes in the village over the years are immense.

"Clayton village has a lot of history and now it has been turned into a commuter conveyor belt, with new houses being built all over the place."

Clayton developer Drive Design has submitted an application to demolish a workshop on Clayton Lane and build five three-storey houses on Fleece Inn Yard, Clayton Lane.

Mrs Abbott claims the proposed houses are inappropriate for the surrounding area.

"A lot of houses in Clayton were built more than 100 years ago with millstone grit which ages naturally," she said.

"The developers are proposing to build the new houses out of artificial stone which does not change colour, is insipid and without character.

"I am not alone in this campaign and I really feel that I have the support of the village," she added.

"There has already been a lot of development in the area and I think people are getting sick and tired of the impact on our way of life that includes extra traffic congestion, a shortage of parking, and most importantly the loss of our cultural history.

"Clayton is a settlement mentioned in the Doomsday book and its history should be preserved."

A spokesman for Bradford Council's planning department said: "The application has been publicised at the site and by individual letters to neighbours. So far we have received one letter objecting to the proposal. All representations will be taken into account."

Peter Devenney, managing director of Drive Design, said: "The design of the proposed townhouses has been carefully planned between the owners and the architect, who hope the properties will add to the area."