CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save greenbelt in Aireborough have issued an urgent appeal for funding just days before their case goes to court.

Aireborough Neighbourhood Development Forum's challenge against Leeds City Council's Site Allocations Plan will be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in London next week - but the group still needs £17,000 to pay for legal fees for the hearing.

The forum says the housing target of 2,300 will "delete" stretches of green space on Ings Lane, Wills Gill, Hollins Hill at Guiseley, and Victoria Avenue at Yeadon - and it warned "Aireborough's very future is at stake."

This week ANDF Chairwoman Jennifer Kirkby said there was "still a way to go" to reach the target for the hearing costs.

She said: "The future is on the line here and there will be more loss of greenbelt if we cannot make a good case in court. But this is expensive."

As part of its fundraising the forum appealed for 4,000 people to give £10 each to protect local green space.

Ms Kirkby said: "We asked local people to help by Crowdfunding for expenses – there is no parish council in the area, so no source of public funds. And, they have responded magnificently. We set out to raise £10 from 4,000 people. In essence, we have had the equivalent of 3,000 people giving £10.

"Along the way we have had countless messages of thanks and encouragement for taking a stand."

She added: "In the last two weeks alone, we have raised £5,000, but we are still short of our target; we still need the help of another 1,000 people. So, if you haven’t contributed to the crowdfund yet, please consider doing so to help your neighbours.

"If you want to see the sustainable development of Aireborough. If you want to see smaller, more affordable houses built on smaller brownfields sites, if you want to see our landscape enhanced with thought given to the environmental value, if you want the issue of traffic and parking and air pollution tackled, not increased, please consider being one of those 1,000 with a £10 donation. If we cannot make our case in court, then the future is yet more Green Belt being built on between 2023 and 2033."

The group's campaign is being backed by Pudsey, Horsforth and Aireborough MP Stuart Andrew.

Writing on Facebook he said: "I have seen first-hand how dedicated the ANDF are to preserving our local environment and green spaces and I am delighted that they have won their first hearing.

"This means their case can move forwards to the Royal Courts of Justice in London, and the hearings have been scheduled for Tuesday 4 February and Wednesday 5 February.

"However, challenging these decisions through the legal process can be costly and the ANDF have asked for my support in encouraging all residents affected by these decisions to donate if they are able to do so - no matter how large or small the donation. The ANDF have made fantastic progress and we need to keep the momentum going."

Visit http://www.localgiving.org/appeal/greenbeltlegalfees/ to donate.

Mr Andrew said he was continuing to raise the issue with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on an ongoing basis.

After the original crowdfunding appeal was launched a Leeds City Council spokesperson said: “We recognise that people care deeply about their local area and understand there will always be concerns about any new proposals. However, the government-appointed independent inspectors concluded that the Site Allocations Plan is sound, legally compliant and provides an appropriate basis for planning the city.”