FELL LANE and Braithwaite residents have formed an action group to fight a major housing scheme in the valley between their neighbourhoods.

Around 50 people attended the first meeting the Friends of North Beck Valley after learning of proposals to build 116 houses and a 150-bed care home.

The residents have set out to protect the ‘green corridor’ that stretches up from central Keighley to Goose Eye and the moors beyond.

They fear the effect of the development on wildlife, ancient woodlands, and local people’s health and views.

The latest group was formed last Friday as a result of an outline plan submitted to Bradford Council last month by a company wishing to develop a large part of the former Stells mill site.

A care home would be built on more recent woodland, the existing Fell Lane Scout hut would be moved elsewhere on the site, and houses would be built in sloping fields on the Fell Lane side, between Holme Mill Lane and the Three Horses pub.

Existing industrial units of Holme Mill Lane would remain.

Friends spokesman David Wilkinson said: “This development may be the right development, but it’s in the wrong place.

“Children and families picnic and play in the valley. It’s a very valuable public amenity. Generations have walked and played in these beauty spots.

“There are three key reasons why this valley is so special, and why the proposed development is so insensitive and unsuitable.”

Mr Wilkinson said the “beautiful” green valley was the only continuous green corridor stretching from the moors into the heart of Keighley.

He said: “It acts as the green lungs of Keighley, drawing in fresh clean air from the countryside, and blowing away the polluted air from the town centre.

“Secondly, the valley is what they call high biodiversity, with ancient woodlands, meadows, areas of bog, and the North Beck - a small river teaming with life.

“It’s priceless. Building over this wildlife corridor would fragment and destroy the habitats, and cause the loss of some rare and beautiful animals and plants.”

Mr Wilkinson said that thirdly, public footpaths in the valley offered wonderful long-distance views of heart lifting scenery.

The Friends urge anyone with an interest in the North Beck valley to submit objections to Bradford Council regarding the planning application, which is reference 16/08422/MAO.

Visit Facebook.com/FoNBeckValley or email FoNBeckValley@gmail.com for further information about the Friends.