Developers who lost an appeal to build hundreds of homes on green fields in Bingley are to challenge the decision in the High Court , claiming the Secretary of State was “mistaken” in throwing out the plans.

Bellway and Redrow, the developers behind the controversial plans to build up to 440 homes on a canal-side site at Sty Lane, Micklethwaite, have sent a copy of a ‘letter before claim’ to the Government and Bradford Council.

The letter says the developers are challenging a decision made by Eric Pickles, Communities and Local Government Secretary, for rejecting their plans and Bradford Council’s initial decision to refuse planning permission. A letter sent by the company’s Leeds-based solicitors, Walker Morris, to the Government department and Bradford Council said the Secretary of State had “misunderstood” the developers’ scheme and had “made a mistake” in dismissing the appeal.

Mr Pickles, a former leader of Bradford Council, dismissed the appeal in July following recommendations by planning inspector Richard Clegg, who held a ten-day public inquiry at Bradford City Hall. In his report, the inspector said there would be “severe harm” to road safety if the developers went ahead with the plans, which included building a new swing bridge across the canal in Micklethwaite Lane, as the main way into the development.

There may also have been delays for emergency vehicles attempting to reach the site if the bridge was out of action.

Greenhill Action Group (GAG), which spent £60,000 on legal bills at the public inquiry, last night described the developers’ challenge as “a long shot”.

Chairman Terry Brown said: “I assume the basis for their appeal is about the bridge and its connection to the highways network.”