Bradford Council is fighting a bid by residents to scupper its plan for a children's home by getting the land officially designated as a village green.

The Council has submitted an official objection to an application by families at Netherlands Square, Low Moor, for village-green status to stop development on the site. The residents say the land has been used for community events and children's play for more than 30 years.

But the Council is objecting because it claims garages which it owns on the site have been rented out since 1971.

Now a barrister will scrutinise the arguments of both sides and make a recommendation to the Council's licensing panel. There could be a public inquiry.

Today, campaigners said they were angry about the Council's application and believed it indicated they were not telling the truth.

They said their solicitor would fight the Council's objection to the end.

Protester Rachael Will-iams said: "We are standing firm and will do everything possible to get this designation for the sake of the community and the children."

In its official objection, the Council says officers do not feel the land has been used as a village green but forms part of the garage site.

The Council has pointed out there is another grassy area of Netherlands Square and they are not objecting to that being designated a village green.

It also says Odsal Playing Field, with football pitches, cricket square and community land, is situated nearby and a corner of Huddersfield Road-Netherlands Avenue, where there is a wood, is open to the public.

The Council claims the public have no legal right of access to the land, apart from people who have garage agreements.

But Mrs Williams said the land nearby was unsafe for young children and parents could not see what was happening to them.

Labour ward councillor Dave Green (Odsal) said he believed the only reason for the objection was because the Council's planning application for the children's home was pending and it was not a valid cause.

"We have evidence from 50 people who say the land has been used by the community and as a children's play area since 1970," he said.

A Council spokesman said: "A barrister has been appointed to look into this issue.

"The objection has now been sent to him as part of the village-green application process."

Proposals for homes in Thornton and East Morton are also being fought.