A WOODLAND wildlife haven on a Guiseley former factory site must be protected from a new housing plan, residents have claimed.

Residents of Ings Lane, Guiseley, are urging other people living in the area to fight for the coppice at the back of the Greenwoods site, which is threatened by a housing plan by developer Barratt Homes.

Barratt recently revealed a revised plan for 94 houses on the Greenwoods site, Otley Road, reducing the proposed development from the original 121-house proposal.

But despite the reduction, and the decision to move a proposed apartment block from the leafy spot, the new plan moved a surfaced car park into the area.

Concerned residents have already delivered leaflets to hundreds of homes in Guiseley and Menston, urging residents to write to Leeds City Council in objection to the plan.

Residents claim the coppice is the habitat for numerous species of wildlife, and - despite being on private land - has always been an attractive feature of the township.

Ings Lane resident Kath Fisher said: "We've had a lot of feedback from a lot of people who are glad to write an objection."

Mrs Fisher felt that it was important for the people of Guiseley to preserve wild areas, for the sake of future generations.

She said: "I'm not doing this for myself, I'm almost retired. I'm doing it for the children. This is a private piece of land, but the pleasure people get from watching it from the outside is great. When you hear the birds singing on a spring morning, it's just incredible."

Mrs Fisher said a local birdwatcher had noted 50 different species of birds inhabiting the coppice, including owls, and said a wetland area at the heart of the wood spawned many frogs every year.

Many residents objected to the previous plan, and although these may be carried over to the current application by Leeds planning officers, Mrs Fisher said Ings Lane residents wanted to make sure today's strength of feeling was shown.

She said 120 of the trees in the coppice have tree preservation orders on them, but the Barratt's plans clearly show proposed development in the coppice area, with an apartment block on the edge.

Residents claim that the housing planned around the coppice end of the site alone could provide with Barratt a £1million profit.

There are also fears that the development may open the floodgates for further housing developments in woodland.

As well as sending leaflets to other Guiseley people, Ings Lane residents have also written to Aireborough MP Paul Truswell.

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