Campaigners are planning to call a parish referendum to help block the development of former greenfield sites.

Members of Menston Action Group hope to use powers listed in the 1972 Local Government Act to ask villagers whether they want 300 new homes.

The step will be taken after they hand-deliver hundreds of letters opposing Taylor Wimpey’s application to build 124 homes on Bingley Road, Menston, to Bradford Council tomorrow. A similar protest last September saw 1,000 objections submitted against Barrat Homes’ proposals to construct 174 houses on Derry Hill.

Both sites were re-designated for housing by a Government planning inspector in 2004, contrary to recommendations from Bradford Council.

MAG has called for a decision on both to be postponed until new guidelines allowing local people more influence on planning come into force.

The group’s president Philip Moore said: “We think that it is inappropriate to determine applications of this scale and controversy before the introduction of the Localism Bill.

“Greg Clark, minister of state for communities and local government, told us last year that Menston could become the first community in the country to take advantage of proposed new rules in planning.”

He said they were unhappy with the idea that Shipley planning panel could discuss it in Bradford City Hall.

“This venue will severely restrict many residents from attending, particularly the elderly and infirm,” he said.

Under local government rules, six or more parishioners can convene a parish meeting to consider anything which is a matter of local concern.

Menston Parish Council and Menston Community Association have objected to the bid, but developers say the plans will help meet targets for affordable housing.