WHEATFIELD, N.Y. — Wheatfield residents are fighting to protect new neighbors before their homes are even built.

They’re concerned about a proposed subdivision slated for construction near the former Niagara Sanitation landfill, a site where hazardous materials also were discarded.

“I’m ill, everyone in my family is,” said Brett Grawe, who lived near the same plot of land.  “We have permanent missing teeth, we have preemies. We have surgery at three weeks old.”

Grawe lived in North Tonawanda near the landfill for 27 years and he believes that property is the cause of their health issues. He said the whole situation reminds him of Love Canal in nearby Lewiston.

The site is at the center of a Department of Environmental Conservation study and a lawsuit between residents and the town of Wheatfield.

“We abandoned our house,” Grawe said. “I still own the house on Forbes Street in North Tonawanda and we bought another house. Nine months ago we moved. And it’s amazing how much better everybody feels.”

Grawe and dozens of his former neighbors spoke out at a Wheatfield planning board meeting Wednesday night, hoping to prevent more houses from being built on the same land.

Under consideration is a 23-home subdivision, called Aubrey Way, that would be constructed next to the landfill.

A call placed to Bob Weaver, the site’s owner, was not immediately returned.

The board decided to move the project on to the next phase. “At this point, we have to do the environmental assessment of any impacts,” said Walter Garrow, a planning board member.

The town council will now consider the project.