A battle is being waged to stop houses being built on village playing fields.

Part of Wrose Recreation Ground has been earmarked for housing in Bradford's draft Unitary Development Plan (UDP) - a blueprint which, when adopted, will guide development in the district up to 2114 - sparking scores of objections from residents.

Wrose Community Centre co-ordinator Bob Lee said he was deeply concerned about the draft designation for the land, which is in the Bolton ward and lies between Wrose Road and King's Drive.

He said he would be raising the issue at tonight's Wrose Neighbourhood Forum, adding: "Unless it was going to be something that was badly needed socially, like sheltered housing, I would definitely object.

"Housing for the sake of it would be wrong - these green lungs are badly needed.

"It's used for football, kids play there and the loss of recreation space would be a big blow to people in Wrose.''

Councillor Howard Middleton (Lib Dem, Bolton) said: "I've objected on the grounds that there's already a shortage of recreation land in the Bolton ward.''

He said when the site was first allocated for housing in the UDP it was intended to develop sheltered housing there, adding: "There was perceived to be a shortage of accommodation for older people but since then two complexes have been built in Wrose so that problem's been addressed.

"Other residents have objected because it would create more traffic on Wrose Road.''

A Bradford Council spokes-man said: "Part of Wrose Recreation Ground was earmarked in the UDP adopted in 1998 for housing and this has been carried over in the draft UDP.

"We have received more than 50 objections to the proposal. The draft UDP went out for consultation in the summer and we'll be reporting on the findings of the consultation and proposed changes to the plan in spring next year.''

l The neighbourhood forum meets at Wrose Community Centre at 7.30pm.