RESIDENTS in a picturesque East Yorkshire village are fighting a bid to build a 22-home "mini-estate" on a field in their community.

Villagers at Bishop Wilton, near Pocklington, say the plan by homes developer Persimmon would be an over-development.

Tonight, a public meeting with planning officials from East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) and local district councillors is being held in the village. The York-based builder has applied to the council, which owned the site at Garrowby Road and Vicarage Lane, for permission to build 22 four and five-bedroomed detached houses with garages there.

But Janet Collins, one of a group of about 20 residents campaigning against the bid, says the field - a traditional hay meadow which was the village's old showfield - should be left untouched.

She said: "Virtually the whole village is opposed to it. This is a conservation area and there should only be infill building but this is a mini-estate. It is totally out of character with the village."

Mrs Collins, whose home backs onto the site, said she was concerned about the overall effect the development would have on the village.

Objectors are also opposed to the developer's proposal to alter the hedgerow bordering the site.

Parish councillors are backing the residents in their bid to block the plan.

Parish council chairman Geoff Scott will chair the villager's meeting with district council representatives in the village hall tonight at 7.30pm.

He said: "What the developer has presented is just not acceptable. It is an urban development on a rural site."

Persimmon's managing director, Keith Saunders, said the site had been marketed by ERYC and his firm had successfully bid for it against other builders.

He said: "The council have seen our plans and they are quite happy with them.

"We are not building standard house types, we have designed houses to suit the village and we have met all the Conservation Area criteria.

"We think our plans are very sympathetic to the character of the village."

A ERYC spokeswoman said: "The application will be dealt with on its merits according to planning law. Local people will be consulted and will have an opportunity to express their views, and local ward councillors will be kept fully informed."

PICTURE: NOT HERE: Angry Bishop Wilton residents Angela Jackson, left, Janet Collins and John Hunt protest over the homes plan Picture: Nigel Holland