Campaigners have vowed to re-launch the fight against plans for a new housing estate in Mirfield.

More than 300 people attended a public exhibition to learn more about Bellway Homes’ plans for Balderstone fields.

Campaigners who successfully fought off the development at a public inquiry in 1999 are furious that the developers have come back.

Mirfield Tory councillor Martyn Bolt was also left fuming after Bellway officials refused permission for the Examiner photographer to take pictures at the exhibition.

Clr Bolt said people were anxious to know more and he couldn’t believe the photographer had been turned away at an open consultation.

“This event was open to the public and the media has every right to attend,” he said.

“There is a lot of opposition as it is and this is not a good start for the so-called public consultation.”

Bellway has yet to submit a planning application but wants to build 130 homes on fields off Hepworth Lane.

It is understood Bellway plans 116 houses on part of the site accessed from the narrow Woodward Court cul-de-sac, close to Crossley Fields Junior and Infant School.

Another 20 homes would be accessed from Hepworth Lane.

Roads around the fields are narrow and without pavements in places.

Clr Bolt said local lanes could not cope with more traffic and Mirfield’s facilities – such as schools, doctors and dentists – were already under strain.

Clr Bolt said he understood national planning guidelines had changed and that was why Bellway had come back to try again having been refused permission 14 years ago.

“What I have asked for from council planning officers is some plain English answers on how the guidance has changed,” he said.

After the consultation exhibition at Northorpe Hall in Northorpe Lane, residents met up in the nearby Flying Shuttle pub.

A campaign group, Save Mirfield, was re-launched and a collection raised more than £150.

Keith Andrews, one of the founders of the group, said the fight would go on.

“We always knew they would come back, just like the tide,” he said.

“Bellway are relying on planning guidance having changed in the last 14 years.”

A Bellway spokesman said the Examiner photographer was turned away because taking pictures may “infringe other people’s privacy.”

He declined to discuss the matter further and later issued a statement which said: “We were pleased with the number of people who took time to view our plans for Mirfield, the feedback we received will be helpful prior to us submitting our application to Kirklees Council for consideration.”

Our picture was taken by Mirfield town councillor James Taylor.