Opponents of the controversial Bryant Homes development at Sandy Lane, Bradford, are being asked to take part in a new protest against the building company - by buying shares in it.

A new environmental group called URGENT has been formed which intends to campaign against greenfield housing developments all over the country.

The group, a nationwide network of eco-warriors, intends to disrupt the firm's November annual general meeting.

And it is encouraging the vigorous protesters against the Sandy Lane development - who have fought a high-profile campaign against 92 new homes off Acacia Drive on the edge of the village - to join them.

Jean Jones, of Acacia Drive, a leading protester and member of RAGE (Residents Action Against the Environment), said: "The idea of buying shares has already been mentioned at a meeting of RAGE and it is an idea we are interested in. We will discuss it at a future meeting. It sounds like quite a good idea and if it helps stop Bryant developing more green field sites in the Bradford area we will support it."

Paul Deluce of URGENT, and a veteran of the Newbury bypass land occupation, told the Telegraph & Argus: "Greenfield housing is a natural move for the direct action movement now that we feel we have won the argument over road building.

"The same private developers keep coming up. We know that their profit margins are tiny and they are extremely vulnerable to large scale protests. Local communities tend to be united against them.

"The residents at Sandy Lane and their friends at the Bingley bypass camp are leading the way in the country, along with several other communities.

"We want protesters to buy shares which means they can attend the AGMs. This tactic has worked very effectively against road building companies."

A spokesman for Bryant Homes declined to comment.

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