OVER 120 dogs have signed a “pawtition” to try and ensure the future of their favourite park.

Northcliffe Park in Shipley has been designated as one of five possible sites where Bradford Council could build one of two planned crematoria.

The park and two privately owned sites have been shortlisted as possible locations for a replacement of Nab Wood Crematorium.

The Council has said it would prefer to build the new crematorium on one of the private sites, but there has still been a huge backlash to the park even being considered, and a petition to have it removed from the list of sites has attracted almost 2,000 signatures.

Now a pawtition opposing the scheme has been “signed” by 126 dogs who regularly walk in the park.

Littlemoor Park in Queensbury and a private site have been listed as possible replacements for the ageing facility at Scholemoor Cemetery.

The inclusion of that park on the list has also led to huge opposition - with 1,255 people signing a petition to have it dropped from the Council’s plans.

The Council has said that between 5 and 10 per cent of Northcliffe Park would be taken up by a crematoria and its access routes, and 20 per cent of Littlemoor Park would be needed.

The plans have proved controversial, as both parks were bequeathed to the residents of the two communities as trusts, only to be used for their benefit.

The pawtition was signed by dogs and dog walkers who regularly use Northcliffe Park, and over 20 people attended a launch of the unique protest.

Liz Rowe, a local dog walker from Baildon said “I often walk my clients’ dogs in Northcliffe park and it would be such a shame to see it ruined by a crematorium. I had to come down today so that Ralph and Biggles could register their views and put their pawprint where it matters.”

Jo Pike, Labour Parliamentary candidate for Shipley was one of the organisers of the event. She said: “Northcliffe Park is used by so many local people, but it is a particular draw for dog owners.

“When you walk your dogs here, you meet so many people and it helps to create a real sense of community. The Council is in a difficult position but it needs to reconsider this decision.”

The event was set up via a facebook group called Dogs of Northcliffe, which was created for local dog owners and dog lovers to organise a campaign against the crematorium. The overall campaign is being led by Friends of Northcliffe.

Both of the trusts that run the park do so under the condition that they can only be used for the benefit of local people.

Last month Bradford Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee were asked to act as trustees and begin the process that would allow the Council to consider the parks for the developments. They were told by Council legal officers that any money from the sale of sections of the parks would be re-directed back into local services.

But members of the committee instead put a pause on the plans, saying the people of Shipley and Queensbury should first be asked for their thoughts, and where they would like to see any money spent of sections of the park were sold.

The Council has said the Nab Wood and Scholemoor crematoria are currently operating beyond their working life. The Bereavement service says recent legislation requiring new mercury filtration systems on crematoria mean it would be difficult to replace the existing facilities at Nab Wood and Scholemoor.

A spokesperson for Bradford Council said: “No decision has been taken on which of the five sites will be chosen as a location for new crematoria.

“We are still in the process of devising the best way of producing a meaningful consultation for the people of each neighbourhood surrounding the two parks.

“It will take a little time to establish the type and scale of the potential benefits for each Trust arising from the possible loss of land for a crematorium.”