Environmental campaigners are backing a fight to stop a large housing estate being built in north Otley.

The Wharfedale Environmental Trust, or WET, has added its voice to that of residents surrounding the proposed 4.9 hectare greenbelt site between Meagill Rise and Rumplecroft.

And, in a letter to Leeds City Council's acting director of planning, the group says the application should be turned down on the grounds that the development would be clearly visible from footpaths and would extend the urban sprawl of Otley.

An outline planning application for 110 homes has been submitted to Leeds Council by developers Taywood Homes.

The land, which is currently classed as interim greenbelt, is expected to be reclassified as suitable for housing in the new Leeds Unitary Development Plan, due out at the end of this year or early next.

But nearby resident, who have banded together as Residents Against Greenbelt Erosion - RAGE for short - say the existing road network will be unable to cope and they do not want to lose precious green space.

WET spokesman Geoffrey Jones said: "Loss of the typically rich dales flora and fauna for Leeds' housing needs must be resisted.

"This is an example of thoughtless developers tearing up the countryside without regard to the environment. This proposal would have a disastrous impact on both the local environment and Otley's rural character and charm."

He said the group beieved it was not good planning sense to add housing estates onto the edges of the town.

"By doing this, it means those living in the centre have to start using cars to get to the outskirts of town and those on the peripheral new estates need to use cars to get to the centre and to use amenities and facilities," he said.

In its letter the group points out that the land is classified as interim greenbelt and borders the West Riding Green Belt and Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The development would be seen from footpaths around Clifton and from Otley Chevin and would extend the urban sprawl of Otley's new estates onto the surrounding countryside.

l Otley councillor Phil Coyne has called for the council to draw up a planning brief for the site to ensure development adheres to strict guidelines and residents will be involved. A date has not been set for discussion the outline planning application.

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