A PLAN to build a housing estate on green land has sparked anger among neighbours.

GSK Developments hopes to build 29 houses, with gardens and parking spaces, on fields off Colders Lane, Meltham.

While the one-hectare plot is classified as a greenfield site, it has been earmarked for housing under the Unitary Development Plan (UDP).

The UDP, which is to be replaced by the Local Development Framework next year, is the masterplan for development in England.

On the application GSK, believed to be a partnership between four Meltham residents, says: “In determining the amount of dwellings proposed in the submitted layout plan careful consideration has been given to the existing residential context and the need to address other key planning issues such as space about buildings, amenity space and car parking to serve future occupiers.”

But neighbours say the proposal, which includes 15 town houses, eight semi-detached houses and six detached houses, will greatly increase the number of cars on Colders Lane.

And some residents are concerned about the loss of green space.

Residents have said they plan to lodge their objections to Kirklees Council before a public consultation on the plan ends on March 17.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “We don’t want it at all because it will create excess traffic. It’s not wanted as far as I’m concerned and speaking to the neighbours, they feel exactly the same.

“Having fields across the road is ideal.

“We’ll be putting something in writing to the council. The majority of neighbours are totally against it. I haven’t met anyone who isn’t against it.

“If there’s 29 houses there’ll be up to 60 more cars.”

Holme Valley North councillor Edgar Holroyd-Doveton has backed the residents’ objections.

Clr Holroyd-Doveton said: “There are too many houses being proposed for the area. It’s almost 30 houses and each will have two cars on average.

“Traffic congestion at Westgate is a notorious problem and there’s going to be more cars.

“I recognise it’s earmarked and has been for a number of years, but I think the plans are too ambitious. Half the number of houses would be acceptable.”