A BLOCKED footpath dispute in Otley that has been running for years has taken a new twist.

Residents have been trying to persuade Leeds City Council to officially adopt 'Piggy Lane' virtually ever since obstructions were put up, blocking it off, in 2007.

They claim the path, which runs from Lisker Drive to Leeds Road, had been used for decades before a wall and a greenhouse were built at either end.

Supporting evidence for that claim was submitted years ago, but the case is still far back on a backlog of disputes waiting to be dealt with by the local authority.

Now the landowner, whose house is at the heart of the row, is seeking planning permission to have 11 Lisker Court knocked down and replaced with three terraced properties.

Trinity Rise resident, David Mowlam, who has been calling on the local authority to tackle the issue for years, is concerned by the development.

In a letter to the public rights of way department, he said: "I'm sure the council wouldn’t allow any such development to take place while the footpath is still in dispute.

"But perhaps you might feel encouraged to resolve the issue at last? It would be easier to tell him to knock down a wall than a house."

Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon), meanwhile, has objected to the proposals, principally on the grounds they would further block a disputed right of way.

The council's public rights of way section says it will also be objecting to the plan "unless provision is made for the claimed footpath", adding: "We would be objecting on the grounds there are buildings/bin stores on the line of the claimed footpath, and a parking space that would obstruct the claimed footpath."