Campaigners have launched an airborne strike in their fight to save green fields from developers.
Residents in Mirfield have used a camera on board a drone to film fields under threat from housing.
Developers Bellway Homes want to build 135 homes on Balderstone Fields off Hepworth Lane.
The application may go before Kirklees councillors next month and campaigners have compiled a 27-minute video outlining their objections.
The video, shot and directed by Mirfield town councillor Steve Benson, has been posted on YouTube.
Click below for video
Clr Benson, 50, who set up campaign group Project Mirfield before his election to the town council, has a professional-quality DJI Inspire 1 drone bristling with the latest technology.
He has filmed around Mirfield, producing some unusual views of the town, in what he insists is still a hobby.
“We had to start thinking outside the box,” said Clr Benson. “The video is a good way of getting our message across and I hope everyone will watch it.”
Clr Benson, a project manager who has worked in the construction industry for 29 years, organised a shoot with residents one weekend and several appear in the film.
One of the main arguments against the development is road safety as the roads around the fields are narrow lanes or tight residential streets.
“We had to wait until the weekend to get people out. It would have been too unsafe during the week because of the traffic,” said Clr Benson.
“There are a lot of true words spoken on the video and there’s been a good reaction so far. I want the video to go viral.”
The battle to save Balderstone Fields goes back to 1999 when residents won a public inquiry.
Hundreds fought the same developers and met on the fields to spell out the slogan ‘No Way Bellway.’
Clr Benson has e-mailed a copy of the video to Kirklees Council and wants the film shown in full at the planning committee before a decision is taken.
Clr Benson has also submitted detailed objections over drainage on the site which he says Kirklees has taken up and put to the developers.
Action group Save Mirfield, also fighting the plans, has organised a public meeting for Tuesday June 23 (7.30pm) at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Old Bank Road, Mirfield, to update residents on the campaign.
Click here to watch the video.
