SURVEYORS are at work on a controversial site on the edge of Huddersfield.

Residents have spotted workers staking out fields off Weatherhill Road.

The land, which is part of Lindley Moor, has been allocated for housing.

But some residents are fighting plans to build up to 300 homes on the fields near the M62.

John Procter, of Lindley Moor Action Group, said yesterday there had been activity at the site.

“There was a helicopter flying over there yesterday morning and it wasn’t the police helicopter,” he said.

“Developers do sometimes look at the land from the air these days.

“The helicopter was potentially having a look at the set-up with the electricity pylons.”

Residents have also seen four men in fluorescent jackets measuring the land off Weatherhill Road yesterday.

Mr Procter, who lives on Briarlyn Road, said: “There has been a lot of activity over the last few weeks. They have also been carrying out sound tests.

“I guess they are trying to work out where the roads and the houses will go.”

But Mr Procter added that the developer had a right to survey the land.

He said: “These people are perfectly entitled to look at things because they have to get their act together to make sure there are no flaws in their case.”

Miller Homes wants to build up to 300 houses on land at the corner of Cowrakes Road and Weather Hill Road.

Kirklees Council has allocated the land for housing.

Planning consultant Spawforths will hold a consultation about the proposal at Lindley Methodist Church from 3pm to 8pm on Tuesday, April 5.

Mr Procter said the action group would attend the meeting.

“We will be handing out flyers outside the event,” he said.

Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney said yesterday that residents should go to the event.

“I want to encourage as many people as possible to go along to the consultation to have their say,” he said.

The Conservative added that he opposed building on the moor.

He said: “I continue to have reservations about how the surrounding infrastructure would cope. I visited Lindley Juniors last week which is already highly over-subscribed.

“I will be asking the developer how the schools, roads and dentists are going to cope with the extra people.”

The proposed homes are part of a wider development plan for Lindley Moor.

Stirling Scotfield wants to set up a data centre – which would provide a secure site for businesses to house their computer servers – on the corner of Lindley Moor Road and Crosland Road.

Kirklees rejected the proposal last June after opposition from residents who want to protect the Huddersfield beauty spot.

But the company appealed the decision in January.

The Planning Inspectorate will hold a four-day public inquiry into the proposal from September 13.