A long-running row over eye-catching pub lights in Burley-in-Wharfedale looks set to be re-ignited.

Bradford Council forced the Generous Pioneer to turn off its multi-coloured helium and strip lighting last month, after receiving repeated complaints from local residents.

But the pub, situated at the end of the Burley by-pass off Ilkley Road, has applied for planning permission to keep a set of 11 illuminated signs, replacing two of them with new designs.

Parent company Tom Cobleigh Ltd is now also seeking permission to keep the blue strip lighting on the building, which sits directly across from Wellfield Farm housing estate.

Burley Community Council member David Howe is so far the only person to have formally objected to the new plans - and fears they may pass through unnoticed.

He said: "The building itself was originally given planning permission to have amber coloured lights, which made it look not too out of place.

"But once they started putting up fairy type lights it began to look completely out of character, being situated as it is right next to a conversation area. And though the helium lights have been switched off, the blue neon strips are still there and just as inappropriate.

"The objectors to the last lot of lights, which have more or less been removed, could be outraged if this next application goes through without them realising."

Most local residents lodged protests about the dazzling effect the pub's larger lights were having on them at night, which led to the Council taking planning regulation enforcement action.

One 35-year-old householder in Wellfield Lane said she and her husband had only just started to feel they could open their blinds in the evenings again, and were worried about the latest proposals.

She said: "The blue neon strips are just out of place and still very eye-catching, and I think they can be a dangerous distraction for motorists.

"It has been better since they turned off the big 'laser lights', but we'd like the original, golden lighting back. It used to be really quite attractive looking.

"We haven't objected to the new plans yet, but I'll be phoning up the planning department to find out exactly what they intend to do."

Burley-in-Wharfedale resident Margaret Palmer regularly walks her dog past the inn, and was shocked to see the blue lights still in place this week.

She said: "It still looks completely appalling. These fluorescent lights are very conspicuous and can see them from three quarters of a mile away in the dark.

"I have only just discovered from the planning department that they want to keep them and I shall be objecting strongly, because they are just not appropriate,

especially at the edge of a green belt."

A spokesman for Tom Cobleigh said the firm had no further comments to make on the matter.

He confirmed, however, that a 'holding manager' had taken over the running of the pub following the suspension of the former manager.

The closing date for Ilkley Town Hall's planning department to receive written objections to the signage plans is Tuesday, March 12.

Ilkley planning officer Martyn Burke is expected to recommend a decision on the issue by April 4. Comments on the blue strip lighting application, meanwhile, will be accepted for another three weeks.