More than 150 people packed a public meeting in Whitchurch to voice their concern at "ludicrous" plans to build 9,500 homes in the area.

Bath and North East Somerset Council has already voted to send an official protest to Communities Secretary Hazel Blears about the level of house building called for in the planning blueprint known as the South West Regional Spatial Strategy.

Last night council leader Francine Haeberling told villagers the council had reluctantly accepted 15,500 new homes for the whole of Bath and North East Somerset, but said the latest total of 21,500 laid down by the South West Regional Assembly was "ludicrous".

" It's not sustainable – the infrastructure would not be there. We need to do everything we can to stop this going ahead," she said.

Under the plan, some 8,000 homes would be built in the part of Whitchurch within B&NES and another 1,500 in the part within the Bristol boundary.

Mary Walsh, 63, who has lived in Norton Lane, Whitchurch, for 20 years, said: "My home looks out on to the last green field between Whitchurch and Bristol.

"I believe homes should be built in small pockets in all the communities. I grew up in the Chew Valley and couldn't afford a property there, so we all came to Whitchurch.

"If this goes ahead it won't be a village any more. We have to stand up and be counted for our youngsters so they can walk in a field – otherwise they won't know what a field is."

North East Somerset Tory prospective parliamentary candidate Jacob Rees-Mogg, who chaired the meeting, said regional assemblies would be abolished under the Conservatives and planning would be a matter for local communities.

He said: "Delay is of the essence. When we get a general election there is every likelihood – certainty – that these plans would be dropped."

People from Publow, Pensford, Warmley, Keynsham and Shortwood all said their areas were also under threat.

Ron Morton, chairman of the Shortwood Green Belt Campaign, said: "You shouldn't just focus on the numbers. Even if you succeeded in halving the number of houses they are still going to build on the green fields around your village. We have to protect the inner line of the green belt."

He said housing was proposed all around Bristol, from Whitchurch to Oldland and Cribbs Causeway.

Whitchurch councillor Peter Edwards said it was a disgrace that parish councils had not been allowed to give their views when a panel was deciding the content of the Regional Spatial Strategy.

He said: "The area of Whitchurch would be unrecognisable as it is today if these plans go ahead.

"The beautiful green surroundings would be gone and our roads would be at a standstill.

"It is of course crucial for people to be able to afford their own homes, but bricks and mortar do not necessarily make a community. You need services, jobs and infrastructure or no one will want to live there anyway."

B&NES Councillor Malcolm Hanney (Con, Chew Valley North) said if the plan was rubber-stamped by the Government, the council would consider mounting a legal challenge with a judicial review in the High Court.

Mr Rees-Mogg said: "The fact that there are so many people here tonight shows the strength of feeling.

"What you are supporting is your democratic right to decide what happens in your community."

The consultation exercise about the proposed changes to the RSS ends on October 17. Details are on the website www.gosw.gov.uk/gosw/planninghome and comments can also be made by e-mail to rssconsult@gosw.gsi.gov.uk.