One of the few powers bestowed upon Keighley Town Council will be used to prevent the building of a house on a piece of common ground.

An application to build a house on land between Low Bank and Far Low Bank, Oakworth, was approved by Bradford Council earlier this year.

The plan, which was submitted to complete a new estate at Kelburn Grove, described the path as a "narrow strip of land, formerly a link for vehicles between Far Low Bank with Low Bank". It added it was last used as a farm access in the late 1990s.

But Keighley Town Council claimed the route had been used as a footpath for more than 20 years, which allowed it to designate the land as a footpath under the Highways Act 1980.

Councillors Brian Hudson and Tony Wright put up a temporary footpath and bridleway sign earlier this month, after the council received a petition from residents and a pile of bricks was dumped on the land in possible preparation for building work.

The sign also indicates the town council has determined it as a public bridleway.

Cllr Wright said: "There are two issues here. It has been used as a footpath for more than 20 years. Through traditional use it becomes a footpath. And because there is no registered owner no-one has claimed for the land, it has allowed us to dedicate it as a bridleway.

"That is the view the town council has taken and it has been a footpath for decades if not centuries."

He added that the town council intended to put up a more permanent sign later. And it would work with Bradford Council to ensure the building was not started.

Cllr Wright said: "Any obstruction can be removed unless the builder resolves the ownership situation. The house may end up coming down. It will not be a permanent house as far as we are concerned."

Cllr Hudson said: "We have the right to do that as a parish council. So we are making sure it remains open for the people of Oakworth.

"We have had a petition and the residents are most unhappy about this planning and the way it has been done. It shows that the parish council is more aware of local issues."

A spokesman for the planning applicant said the piece of land was a private drive.