PROTESTERS are urging neighbours to unite against plans to turn a village green space into a housing estate.

A green area surrounded by Carr Top Lane and Brook Lane, Golcar, has been earmarked as one of many sites for building 37,000 new homes across the borough.

The land currently holds “provisional open land” status which entitles it to some protection from development.

But residents fear it will be converted into building land and the protection will be lost.

They are worried this will lead to the construction of up to 800 homes and the destruction of wildlife, increased traffic, additional pressure on local services and a loss of recreational land.

Campaigners have produced and hand delivered nearly 800 leaflets to residents surrounding the land.

The council’s plans are part of a Local Development Framework (LDF) with four alternative options to develop commerce, industry and jobs across the region.

The Golcar land, says campaigner Roger Boulton, is part of all four options.

Mr Boulton, of Wellhouse, said: “There is a lovely green plot of land on one side of a small valley near the centre of Golcar, that although surrounded by some houses, is a beautiful little haven for both wildlife and people to enjoy whether it is out of their windows, children playing on it or people simply walking their dogs.

“The reaction when speaking to locals when out delivering leaflets is overwhelming support as it appears no one wants to lose this green space.

“Many are also very concerned about increased traffic on our already busy narrow streets as well as the additional burden on our services such as doctors and dentists.

“Speaking to (Colne Valley councillor) Nicola Turner at the recent consultation meeting, it was made clear to us that the only way to get this section of land out of all four building options was to object.

“Whilst support is great to hear, we urge everyone to do their bit and object before the April 3 deadline.

“General objections such as ‘we don’t want building on the land’ will not be counted. Objections have to be absolutely specific, such as loss of green space, additional traffic, pressure on doctors etc.”

A Kirklees Council spokesman said: “The LDF strategy options propose that to accommodate development needs up to 2026 it will be appropriate to use most of the provisional open land (POL) sites shown in the Unitary Development Plan.

“These sites were included in the plan to provide capacity for development after 2006 and many of them are sited between the built-up area and the green belt.

“The current LDF consultation gives people the opportunity to raise concerns about the use of POL sites for development.”

Comments on the plans should be posted to:

Freepost RRKS-SKHX-ZBYR, Research and Consultation, Kirklees Council, Huddersfield, HD1 2NQ or emailed to local.develop ment@kirklees.gov.uk.