CAMPAIGNERS fighting a controversial plan to build a housing estate on a greenfield site are to hand in a petition to the Mayor of Middlesbrough.

David Wilson Homes, part of the Barratt Group, wants to build 295 executive homes at Grey Towers Farm, a working farm stretching from Brass Castle Lane to the Poole Estate, in Nunthorpe.

But the residents have raised concerns that the development will worsen rushhour traffic on the A172.

The campaign group will meet Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon on Wednesday to hand over the 3,000-name petition.

"There are a number of issues involved in the community's opposition to the proposal, " campaigner Bob Mullen said.

"Firstly, and most importantly, Grey Towers Farm is not identified in Middlesbrough Council's planning framework as a potential site for housing, in fact it has been strongly discounted as unsustainable by the council in previous housing site assessments.

"Secondly, the introduction of more houses in south Middlesbrough would add to the already existing congestion on the fragile road system into central Middlesbrough.

At peak hours many motorists suffer the effect of the Marton Road Crawl.

"The local authority should build an adequate road infrastructure within and across the borough before even considering new housing estates with their increased demand for road space.

"Thirdly, developers across the country are attempting to gobble up agricultural greenfield sites without a thought for the future. There is an absolute need for such land to sustain a growing population in worsening climate conditions. Once it has gone, it's gone."

The campaign group has the support of the local councillors and a survey, carried out among residents earlier this year, showed that 96 per cent were against the proposals.

However, the developer has defended its proposals, maintaining that the town needs more high-quality housing.

The housebuilder is also proposing significant transport improvements for the area, including extra bus services, cycle and pedestrian facilities, plus improvements to the A172 and Stainton Way.

The original proposal was to build 400 homes on the land, but the applicant withdrew the scheme following strong opposition from residents.

The petition will be handed over at 11am on Wednesday, outside Middlesbrough Town Hall.