Campaigners against a housing development on green fields near Bingley have almost raised the £60,000 needed to fight a planning appeal next month.

Greenhill Action Group (GAG) and its supporters have raised £58,000 in less than four months to pay for barristers, solicitors and consultants to represent them during the ten-day planning inquiry at Bradford City Hall, starting on Tuesday, February 21.

Developers Redrow and Bellway lodged the appeal after Shipley Area Planning Panel rejected an application to build up to 440 homes at Sty Lane, Micklethwaite, in September.

GAG chairman Terry Brown said: “Everybody said at the beginning there was no way we would get that sort of money, but we have gone out and been open and honest about what we are trying to do and the public have come up with the money to enable us to take the fight to a public inquiry.”

The action group has organised a series of fundraising events and has made appeals for donations in the Telegraph & Argus. A curry night on Saturday, compered by Councillor John Pennington (Con, Bingley), added £2,150 to the coffers. Further pledges of cash have also been made, which will bring the group closer to its £60,000 target.

l Donations, including your name and address, can be sent to Pauline Wood, 29 Greenhill Drive, Micklethwaite BD16 3HT.