MENSTON residents are preparing to renew their battle with developers over new housing plans.

In 2015 Menston Action Group was celebrating after Bradford councillors rejected a scheme to build more than 130 houses off Bingley Road.

That plan, by Taylor Wimpey, was thrown out over concerns about flooding and drainage that were raised in an independent report commissioned by Menston Action Group.

Now Bellway Homes has announced it wants to build 133 new homes on the site - and will hold a consultation event, exhibiting its proposals, at Kirklands Community Centre this week.

The consultation takes place from 3.30pm to 7pm on Thursday, June 15 and the company says it is an 'opportunity to view the plans and discuss the proposals' with its representatives.

Menston residents, however, have already started working to oppose the scheme and a petition is being circulated.

Menston Community Association Chairman Dr Steve Ellams, who will be attending the consultation armed with 'facts sheets' about the land, said: "Most of the residents who are likely to be affected by flooding issues have signed up to the petition already.

"The hope is we can head off the planning proposal before it is submitted.

"As things stand the reason for full planning permission being declined remains the same (as last time)."

The petition, entitled Urgent Representation to Bradford Council and Bellway Homes, says: "We, the undersigned, residents of Hawksworth Drive and adjacent streets in Menston, are alarmed once again about the potential threat of development on Bingley Road in Menston."

It goes on to refer to evidence that had been supplied to the Regulatory and Appeals Committee by Dr Duncan W Reed and other contributors, adding: "As a direct result of that evidence, full planning permission on the site, as requested by Taylor Wimpey, was denied.

"Dr Reed’s evidence was that the Bingley Road site, if developed, would increase flood risk on the site and exacerbate existing flood problems for nearby residents, particularly on Hawksworth Drive, East Parade and St Peter’s Way.

"The increase in surface water flow off the Bingley Road site onto adjacent properties would furthermore be unlawful."

Written comments can be left at the consultation event and the plans can also be viewed online at johnsonmowat.co.uk/consultations .