A wave of public opposition to Government plans to allow 3000 homes to be built on greenbelt land has generated 1400 official objections.

Residents of Stepps are angry at a suggestion by Government reporters that North Lanarkshire's Local Plan should be changed.

The reclassification of land to the north of Stepps, between the village and the M80 bypass from Steppshill to the Crowwood Roundabout, would allow for the future construction of 2897 houses.

Letters of objection have been sent to the Scottish Government reporter responsible for the proposals and those against the plans have the backing of local politicians.

Stepps resident and community councillor Frances McAveety, 47, said the houses would strip the village of its identity and put huge strain on the area's infrastructure.

She said: "It seems like overkill to us. "If this destruction of greenbelt land is allowed to continue, villages everywhere will end up losing their identity.

"This is causing a huge furore in the village."

North Lanarkshire Council agrees with residents that the extra land for housing is not necessary.

Elaine Smith, MSP whose Coatbridge and Chryston constituency takes in Stepps, has called on the Scottish Government to take the "massive levels of public anger against these proposals" into account before making a final decision.

Ms Smith said: "The greenbelt that surrounds the area has been protected for many years and North Lanarkshire Council's local plan proposal continues with that protection.

"The wishes of private developers should not be considered above those of local people and the democratically elected local councillors.

"Whilst there is a need for affordable council housing right across Scotland, there is already an abundance of private homes available for sale in this area.

"We do not want nor need any more, particularly if that means destruction of our green amenity areas."

A Scottish Government spokesman said all objections would be considered and added that, even if the site was zoned for housing, any applicants would still have to go through the council's usual planning process.

The spokesman, said: "Reporters have invited the council, the developers, the respective community councils and nearby neighbours to make additional comments to enable them to reach their decision.

"At this stage the reporters are seeking further information so they can decide whether the sites are suitable, in principle, for inclusion in the plan."

A public meeting on the proposals will be held tonight at 8pm in Stepps Cultural Centre.