A public inquiry is to be held over plans to downgrade a well-used bridleway to a footpath after more than 50 objections were made.

The disputed Bingley Bridleway 140 runs from the junction of Turf Lane and Station Road to where it meets Bridleway 134 and turns west passing Field Head to join Halifax Road, in Cullingworth Changing the status of the route would mean it could only be used by people on foot, while horseriders and cyclists would be banned.

Bradford Council originally rejected an application made by landowner J Robert Thompson in 2001 to alter the status of the right of way but that decision was later overturned on appeal by the Government’s planning inspector.

The Council was ordered to grant the application to reclassify the route but the number of objections means a public inquiry must now be held before its status can be legally changed.

Campaigners fighting to save the bridleway have welcomed the latest development.

Malcolm Barker, of Field Head Farm, said: “I think a public inquiry is an excellent thing. I know there is strong feeling about it. Quite a lot of people in the community use the bridleway for recreation and it has been there a long time. They are not causing a problem at all but unfortunately one man has an issue with it.”

He added that the bridleway passed through two of his fields and he was happy for horseriders and cyclists to use it.

Ward Councillor Michael Ellis (Con, Bingley rural) said the public inquiry was wonderful news. “It shows the strength of local opinion,” he said. “I just hope that their objections are listened to and understood by the inspector. At the end of the day, what harm does it do to anybody?”

Coun Ellis said he had been contacted by a number of concerned constituents about the proposals. He said he would be discussing the arguments against downgrading the bridleway with Council officers and would be attending the inquiry.

Kath Windett, Bradford Council’s rights of way officer, said 56 objections had been received to the proposals, which was a lot for this kind of application. She said an application had also been made by Mr Thompson to downgrade Bridleway 134 and a public inquiry was expected to take place in to that matter in City Hall on January 10 and 11. She said the Council would ask for both inquiries to be held together, which could mean they would rescheduled for later in 2012.

Mr Thompson did not want to comment. Parish councillor Andrew Vaux said: “This bridleway has been in place for many years and is an extremely popular route. It forms an essential link between other bridleways in the area and without it they would become disjointed.

“The number of objections received is clear evidence of the strength of local feeling. We welcome the decision to hold a public inquiry.”