Campaigners hoping to halt a 190-house development on a Huddersfield beauty spot have urged silent objectors to make their voices heard as a public consultation on the controversial plan comes to a close.

A public consultation on a plan to build a housing estate in Grimescar Valley ends on June 23.

And campaign group Save Grimescar Valley believes there are many residents who are yet to lodge their objections with Kirklees Council.

Residents of neighbouring areas, such as Lindley, Birchencliffe and Ainley Top, fear Thornhill Estates’ development will push the area’s stretched infrastructure to breaking point.

Thornhill Estates’ application follows consent for 31 homes on land off nearby Crosland Road – and 294 houses being built on adjacent land to the latest Lindley Moor site.

Lindley Conservative councillor and Save Grimescar Valley committee member Gemma Wilson is urging objectors not to stay silent.

Clr Wilson said she and other campaigners would be knocking on doors this week encouraging residents to formally lodge their objections.

She said: “We’re asking people to write individual letters. Petitions are all well and good but individual letters are very effective.

“There are people who don’t want it but are keeping silent and some people aren’t aware they can make an impact.

“I haven’t had anyone contacting me to say they’re in favour of it.

“It’s so much more than just a development; Lindley is full and we can’t cope with any more.

“It’s the loss of green space and the environmental impact and the pressure it would put on schools, doctors’ surgeries and roads.”

Clr Wilson added: “There’s no reason why this application should be accepted. It’s the wrong area and Kirklees have the opportunity to say no.”

Save Grimescar Valley has received the backing of Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney and the Campaign for Rural England.

The campaign has attracted support from other groups concerned about the potential loss of green space.

Campaigners from Save Grimescar Valley and Save Mirfield and other groups from Scissett, Skelmanthorpe, Slaithwaite, Golcar, Holmfirth, Meltham and Dewsbury staged a protest in St George’s Square, in April.

The groups want Kirklees to prioritise brownfield sites ahead of green land.