CAMPAIGNERS have handed over their petitions objecting to plans to build swanky new homes in the middle of a Dudley nature reserve.

Members of the public fighting to preserve Saltwells Local Nature Reserve in Netherton – where a development of nine large detached homes with garages is proposed – descended on the steps of Dudley Council House on Wednesday to present their petitions to Councillor Qadar Zada who was this week elected as the new leader of the authority.

More than 10,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the plan by KB Extruders to be thrown out, while 2,300 have also signed a paper petition.

Around 750 official objections have also been lodged on the council’s planning website – and more than 10,000 people have joined the Facebook group Save Saltwells Nature Reserve.

Campaigner Lesley Dunn said: “We had a decent turn out. It was fabulous.”

She added: “We’ve had a whole team of people working really hard, I just hope we can get this planning application knocked on the head.”

Meanwhile – the Birmingham and the Black Country Wildlife Trust has objected to the scheme saying the proposed development would result in the "direct loss of semi-natural ancient woodland and semi-improved grassland".

The objection also highlights Saltwells status as part of the proposed Black Country UNESCO Global Geopark bid, which hails the reserve “a superb scientific and educational geosite”.

Hassan Hussain, on behalf of Birmingham based KB Extruders - the firm behind the development, has said the site proposed for the new homes is not part of the reserve and it is needed to meet housing demand in the area.

He added that if the proposal was unsuccessful, the company would consider selling the land to campaigners.

The public consultation is due to end on Wednesday November 21 after which the plan is expected to go before Dudley's development control committee.