Campaigners fighting controversial applications for almost 300 homes in Menston have lodged an official complaint with Bradford Council over its planning process.

Menston Action Group has written to the authority’s chief executive Tony Reeves to raise concerns over a “lack of transparency” in planning procedures relating to the applications by Barratt Homes for 174 homes at Derry Hill and Taylor Wimpey for 125 homes at Bingley Road.

The letter, written by Philip Moore, claims planning officers have met and consulted significantly with the developers but refused to consult with objectors.

The group also highlights a blunder by the Council at a review of its Replacement Unitary Development Plan three years ago, which has recently cast doubt over whether the two sites, which were removed from the green belt in 2005, are still allocated for housing.

The letter states: “We draw your attention to the fact that there was no proper public consultation to remove the land from the green belt. The proof of this is the lack of awareness among local residents in 2005 about any consultation following the planning inspectors report.

“At a neighbourhood forum meeting in June 2010, it was highlighted to Mr John Eyles, who was present and spoke to the meeting, that Housing Policies H1 and H2 had expired and therefore the sites were no longer allocated as housing sites. This was backed up by a widely-circulated newsletter and a written statement from an eminent planning lawyer. However this concern was dismissed by the planning department.

“Now, nearly 18 months later, the sites remain unallocated but the planning department seeks to re-allocate the sites using supposedly emergency powers, without requesting a call-in by the Planning Inspectorate.

“Given that the RUDP is no longer fit for purpose, we request the same emergency powers are used to allocate these sites back to the green belt.”

At a meeting on Monday, members of the Council’s executive committee accepted recommendations to reaffirm it was the authority’s intention unimplemented housing sites should be protected to meet the district’s housing needs.