Bovis to press for 500 houses

The plans have been unveiled in a "scoping report" published by Bovis. This is the first stage in the process that will eventually lead to a full-blown planning application.

The document sets out the scope of the "environmental assessment" that Bovis are required to undertake before they submit their planning application. They will, for example, have to assess the impact of extra traffic on the already congested network of local roads.

Only if they can demonstrate an acceptable environmental impact will their planning application be taken seriously. But Bovis will pay their own consultants to do the assessment, so it will hardly be surprising if it reaches favourable conclusions.

Local community groups are meeting to plan a campaign of opposition and resistance. We believe Bovis's greedy and ill-considered plans will damage the valley irreversibly, effectively pulling the urban sprawl deep into open countryside.

The forces lined up against us may seem powerful, but we believe Bovis do not have a case for extending Sheffield deep into the Green Belt, right to the doorstep of the Peak District National Park. With your support and help, we believe we can win!

• Click here to see the Bovis masterplan
• Air your views in our discussion forum
• e-mail us if you would like to help with the campaign
• Click here for a copy of our window poster