by Jonathan Redhead T&A Reporter Campaigners fighting plans for more than 170 new homes have formally listed their reasons why the scheme should be blocked.

Members of the Shipley Area Planning Panel are due to meet in the New Year to give their verdict on the application for the homes at Derry Hill.

Barratt Homes hopes to build 174 properties on the former greenfield site and a bid by Taylor Wimpey for a further 125 houses on Bingley Road is expected soon.

Menston Action Group (Mag) has formally submitted its opposition to the Barratt Homes plans to Bradford Council.

The group has drawn up an 18-page document with a host of objections in 17 different areas.

They include arguments about heritage and conservation, character of the village, flooding and drainage, schools, local services and transportation.

Mag has also surveyed rail passengers at the Menston station and believes the current infrastructure cannot cope with current users, let alone any new travellers.

“If the proposed Derry Hill development was to become a sustainable community, integrated within the existing Menston settlement, it is imperative that an absolute commitment to increasing train passenger capacity on the Wharfedale line is secured and acted upon prior to expansion to the existing Menston village,” Mag’s report says.

Menston Parish Council and Menston Community Association have also submitted formal objections to the Barratt Homes plans.

The council’s reasons to reject the plan include materials, design, landscaping, density and traffic issues.