More than 650 residents in York are objecting to a proposed luxury housing development which they claim would compromise their privacy and threaten the natural environment.

The application, by Leeper Hare Developments Ltd, is to build 11 dwellings on land between Westview Close, off Boroughbridge Road, York, and the nearby sports field.

Residents will hand the petition to councillors attending Tuesday's City of York Council planning meeting and have also written numerous letters of objection which have been noted in the officer's report.

Jonathan Carr, the council's development and control officer, has recommended councillors refuse the application on the grounds that it would result in overshadowing of neighbouring properties, pressure to cut back trees and would be in opposition to the local plan.

But residents will still make their presence felt at the meeting to make sure councillors to go along with the recommendation.

Christine Spear, a nearby resident, said: "It would constitute an over development of the area and the houses would be totally out of keeping with the rest of the area.

"We're not just saying don't build here, you're going to spoil our view, there are several trees which would end up being close to the buildings and would be threatened.

"We're trying to get that land put back into the green belt."