Menston campaigners fear their village can’t cope with its present drainage and flooding, without the prospect of further development.

Members of Menston Action Group (MAG) are continuing to oppose plans to build about 300 houses on greenfield sites in Derry Hill and Bingley Road and are highlighting recent drainage problems.

The plans for two large housing estates were approved by Bradford Council in February – one for 175 houses at Derry Hill, by Barratt Homes, and another for 135 off Bingley Road by Taylor Wimpey. But these were delayed as residents launched their ultimately unsuccessful village green appeal.

The group argues the fields are unsuitable for housing and could leave the village prone to flooding.

Dr Steve Ellams, a member of MAG, said: “Now the monsoon season appears to have settled, I would like to continue to highlight the flooding and drainage problems Menston suffers irrespective of the weather.

“For the past three weeks Westbourne Drive has had heavy machinery diverting sewage from one area to another. It appears this is a result of the old Victorian drains collapsing due to overwhelming pressure.

“A resident’s driveway has collapsed due to the underground leakage from a depth of 20 feet and this has involved a sewer above and adjacent to it.

“The latest information is that this pipe, with a 30-inch diameter, runs under the main railway line from Ilkley to Leeds and Bradford via Menston and Guiseley.”

Villagers have raised approximately £62,000 towards the MAG fighting fund, which covers the legal costs of their campaign.

The group collected more than 2,000 letters of objection which were sent to Bradford Council. Dr Ellams said more than 35 per cent of them raised concerns about flooding.

Councillor Val Slater, executive member for housing, planning and transport, said: “We acknowledge the concerns raised.

“However any issues relating to the sewage system are a matter for Yorkshire Water.

“The Council does discuss sewage and flooding issues with them on major planning applications and wider strategic issues.”

Dr Ellams added: “We are currently in dialogue with Yorkshire Water.”