PEOPLE are being urged to protest against plans to expand the controversial Menwith Hill listening station.

RAF Menwith Hill, used by the US Department of Defense, wants to add a new 22 metre high giant 'golfball' radome to the site.

Protesters claim it is evidence that the United States government is pressing ahead with its controversial National Missile Defence programme - ahead of any official approval from the British government.

And Otley chairman of the Menwith Hill Forum - set up to oversee activities at the base - says it should be strongly resisted, for the sake of the safety of surrounding towns and villages.

Councillor John Eveleigh, leader of Otley Town Council; said: "Certainly, this is the start of Star Wars and there is a great deal of local concern about that.

"My understanding is there has been a lot of work done already at the base and this is the final bit of the jigsaw."

He claimed the terrorist atrocities in New York on September 11 proved the ineffectiveness of such systems - and opened surrounding communities like Otley up to attack.

"If nothing else, September 11 proved the complete inadequacy of places like this, it would have happened even if Star Wars had been in place.

"The public needs to be made fully aware that if Star Wars goes ahead, we must go ahead with our eyes fully open," said Coun Eveleigh.

The forum is planning to object to the plans when they come up before Harrogate Borough Council, even though it has little confidence of success.

"We believe there are enough grounds to reject it, but they seem to have impunity to build what they like up there.

"Before anything like this goes ahead there needs to be local consultation," said Coun Eveleigh.

Otley peace campaigner Helen John says the new radome could be the biggest one at the base and possibly in the world.

"Menwith Hill already has one of the largest golf balls in the world and we think this one will be even bigger."

Ms John, who served a prison sentence earlier this year for her continued protests outside the base, said she hoped as many people as possible would object to the plans.

"All this development is happening at Menwith Hill and even before any formal request to our government has taken place.

"This is directly connected to the Star Wars system and the whole thing has gathered apace since September 11.

"Bases like Menwith Hill are actively involved in killing people for US interests," she said.

The forum, which is based at Leeds City Council, had hoped that its objections would be supported by Otley Town Council - but the plans committee voted to raise no objection.

"The council is not one of the consultees for Harrogate, but we were hoping they would object. Any objection would have helped and it would have shown there is widespread concern," said Coun Eveleigh.