Silsden residents are being urged to object "from their heart" to plans to build 2,500 new houses, a new bypass and junior school in the town.

A public meeting on Wednesday saw about 100 residents, town councillors, district councillor David Emmott and members of a campaign group, STAG (Silsden Town Action Group) discuss how they could object to Bradford Council's expansion plans.

The plans are presented in the council's Unitary Development Plan (UDP), a blueprint of how the council thinks the area should develop over the next 20 years.

The document will be used by the council when making planning decisions and related decisions.

This is the first stage of the UDP process, in which residents have the opportunity to object. Objections will be considered by the council before the final draft plan is produced, and if there are still unresolved issues, a public inquiry could be held.

The meeting was called by Silsden Town Council in advance of the deadline date for objections, August 8.

Coun Emmott urged: "Complain about anything and everything, anything you disagree with, no matter how small. If you don't complain, then they will take it that everybody's happy."

In the plans, Silsden is designated for much of the housing needs of Bradford district. Addingham and Eastburn will also see development, but Silsden and Steeton are earmarked because of their road and rail links.

The plan states: "The Aire Valley settlements of Steeton and Silsden retain a local industrial base and because of their good and improving road and rail links."

STAG member Keith Norris said: "Silsden is viewed as part of Bradford as a whole. The amount of housing that Bradford has to build is Government-led.

"Silsden is easy pickings, because it is on level land and cheap to develop."

The plans acknowledge that existing roads, schools, and health services are insufficient to meet the demands of these new houses, and a new junior school and a road are planned.

A further suggestion is for a park and ride scheme to Steeton and Silsden station, and the need for further food shopping facilities is also highlighted. However a town centre supermarket has been ruled out because of the "antiquated highway system".

One resident said: "When you look at the plans your eye is drawn to the massive amount of development in Silsden. It seems to me they are making Silsden a third as big again. I don't think any town can grow that quickly. It will destroy the heart of Silsden."

Government guidelines have also changed on the use of flood plains and much of the development will be on washland.

One older resident said: "Bradford can't maintain the drainage in Silsden as it is."

Concerns were also raised that the sewage system would not be able to cope and that the claims about improved road and rail links were optimistic as the Aire Valley trunk road was so difficult to cross.

STAG member Janet Burgoyne said: "Put down what you feel, object with your heart. The more people who fight these plans, the more they will have to listen."

Objection forms are available from Silsden library.