COMMUNITIES Secretary Eric Pickles will have the final say on controversial plans to build more than 500 homes on fields next to North Ferriby.
The scheme, which also includes plans for shops and a care home, will be "called in" by the Secretary of State for the final ruling following a public inquiry.
Save Our Ferriby campaigners have warned the Secretary of State would be foolish to ignore massive local opposition to the plans, which prompted a 1,400-name protest petition from residents.
The proposals were thrown out by East Riding Council and an appeal by developers St Modwen is to be heard at a public inquiry, chaired by a planning inspector.
The inspector will send a report and recommendation to the Communities Secretary for the final decision.
Emma Reid-Chalmers, chairman of the Save Our Ferriby action group, said: "If we are allowed to get our message across properly and completely and get the residents' voices heard at the inquiry, it would be a very foolish Secretary of State to ignore us.
"We are fed up of residents not being heard.
"Westminster may end up being held to account by us.
"We are a very large group of people with a strong voice and we are hugely committed because we are not a political group, we only have the interests of the residents and the wider community at heart – it may be that we are the voice that Westminster listens to."
The scheme, for land off Brickyard Lane in Melton, also includes a care home, sheltered apartments and a district shopping centre.
Ms Reid-Chalmers said: "We are not Nimbys, we are concerned it is the only green space between us and Melton and Welton. We don't want houses there but also we don't want industry there."
Campaigners have raised concerns over possible land contamination from the form- er Capper Pass factory, which, in the 1980s, was linked with an apparent cluster of cancer cases in former workers and children living nearby.
Ms Reid-Chalmers said: "We don't want any digging done on there, we are concerned the land is contaminated from Capper Pass."
Campaigners are pressing for the public inquiry to be held in the village because of the strength of feeling over the scheme.
St Modwen has defended its plans, which it claims would provide much-needed family homes, affordable homes and homes designed for the elderly.
A spokesman said: "We believe our proposals represent the right strategy for the site and for the region as a whole, which is why we have decided to appeal the decision.
"There is a national and regional shortage of good- quality family homes and what we are proposing to deliver in Melton will help meet that need.
"With the benefit of permission we will be able to immediately bring significant investment and jobs to the region."
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