Militant housing campaigners in Sandy Lane are preparing to welcome their neighbours on a new luxury housing development - and say it will not be a case of 'them and us'.

So keen are they to unite the village that 16 residents have placed written objections to a Bryant Homes proposal to surround its controversial new development with a six-foot fence.

Their objections may now force Bradford Council to discuss the landscaping plans at a committee meeting instead of having planning officials deal with it.

Jean Jones, of Acacia Drive, a leading campaigner, said residents felt the tall fence would be an eyesore and would lead to a 'them and us' situation developing between existing villagers and people who bought the new Bryant homes.

A sales office has now opened on the site, which Bryant has christened Greenwood, and members of RAGE, the residents' action group, is due to meet on Tuesday to discuss tactics. Even though building work is well underway, the group is not disbanding and is still looking at new ways of getting its message across and opposing similar greenfield developments elsewhere in the Aire Valley.

Leading campaigner Jean Jones said the idea of staging a demonstration outside the Bryant sales office would be considered.

"We don't want to stop people coming into Sandy Lane, but if anybody asks us what all the fuss is about we will tell them," she said.

She added that any visitors to the Bryant Homes sales office could not fail to notice campaign posters and banners local residents had put up in their gardens and front windows. "We are angry about the fence - we would have preferred a dry stone wall which is more in keeping," said Mrs Jones. "The fence will be visible as you come over the hill. We don't want a them and us situation - we want to be able to say 'good morning' to people."

Andrew Willison, of the Bradford Council planning department, confirmed 16 objections had been received about the fence.

"If the chairman of the planning committee considers it necessary because of the level of interest in it, the matter will go to committee and local people will get the chance to come along and say their piece," Mr Willison said.

A spokesman for Bryant Homes said: "We will take on board the views of local residents about the fence and consider it."

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