A battle has been launched to stop two of Baildon's best-known landmarks being taken out of the Green Belt.

Baildon Green and Baildon Bank, magnets for climbers and dog walkers, are currently designated as Green Belt. But under Bradford's draft Unitary Development Plan (UDP) - a blueprint to guide development over the next 15 years - the area has been earmarked as Urban Green Space.

Campaigners claim the new designation would afford the area less protection than Green Belt status and fear it could leave it vulnerable to possible future development.

Dr Mike Woods, of Baildon Community Council, said: "With a Green Belt designation there's a presumption against any development but that's not the case with Urban Green Space.

"We are objecting to any change very strongly and will be launching a petition. If any development was allowed it would change the character of Baildon totally and result in the village losing its 'green lung'.''

Shipley MP Chris Leslie said: "The Green Belt can and should be used to define green lungs within urban areas or green fingers that extend into urban areas.

"While Urban Green Space is still a protective designation there's no presumption against development which means an applicant could come along and their plans would probably get off the starting blocks."

Councillor Grahame Thornton (Lib Dem, Baildon) commented: "The ultimate fear is someone will start proposing developments if the designation changes, whereas at the moment the land has got the highest level of protection.''

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, the Council's executive member for the environment, said: "My advice is that from a technical perspective it's much more appropriate to designate it as Urban Green Space. But if people are unhappy about any of the recommendations in the draft UDP they should let us know their views and those objections will be looked at.''

Public consultation on the draft UDP runs until August 8. The documents are available for viewing at libraries, the planning offices in Shipley, Bradford and Ilkley and the information centre at Keighley Town Hall.