Residents have taken a campaign to save a beauty spot to their MP.

Netherthong residents are opposing plans for 18 homes on land classed as provisional open land (POL).

A proposal to build 18 houses in Netherthong has been lodged by Steven Butterfield and Kurt Schramm. A public consultation ends today.

They want to build 10 three-bed and eight four-bed properties off Miry Lane to the north west of  Netherthong centre.

The POL status is meant to prevent land from being developed until infrastructure such as roads and sewers can be provided, and it remains until land allocation is reviewed when it will be considered  for development.

The Netherthong Action Group (NAG) has been formed with  main concerns relating to the highways impact from the proposed housing site .

This week they met Colne Valley Conservative MP Jason McCartney and Holme Valley South Conservative Clr Nigel Patrick and won their support.

Mr McCartney said: “I have been in touch with Netherthong Action Group for the past month and I have encouraged them to send in individual objections based on planning reasons such as access.

“And they have my support... I know the area well and the access is poor, the tight, narrow lanes are so busy, especially at morning and afternoon school times.

“Even when I drove up there at lunch time  it was difficult to navigate along the narrow lane. And of course there is pressure on the local school which is full .”

Simon Taylor, who has lived in the village for five years, said there was strong opposition to the plans: “A meeting last week in the church was attended by more than 120 people against it – that illustrates the feeling.

“There is a lot of concern locally about the unsuitability of the site”.

Other areas of concern relate to the risk of losing trees which have a preservation order; the visibility on Miry Lane based on a 30mph speed limit; unsuitable drainage; the lack of footpaths; and access in bad weather.

The applicants say the site is sustainable as it can benefit from existing infrastructure, including public transport,  shops, education and leisure facilities.