A bid to have a patch of Incommunities-owned land turned into a protected village green looks set to fail.

Allerton resident David Hemsley applied to have an area of land near his home, known as The Green, recognised as an official village green for the whole community. The move would protect it from any development in the future. But Bradford Council and Incommunities lodged objections to the idea.

The land, between Cote Lane and Allerton Road, was bought by the Council in 1954 for housing, but never built on and was kept as open space.

It is now owned by housing provider Incommunities and there are currently no planning applications being considered. But it is close to Allerton Lane, where developers Hallam Land Management want to build 292 homes on the Pitty Beck greenfield site.

Mr Hemsley’s application for the village green was considered at a public inquiry in February.

At the inquiry, Mr Hemsley had to prove there was an established neighbourhood, that the land was used by a significant number of people over a required time and that this use was ‘as of right’ – that is, unchallenged trespassing.

The inquiry heard from a number of residents who said the land was used by children, dog-walkers and had hosted a Diamond Jubilee party. But Bradford Council argued access to the land was permitted and therefore not trespassing. And Incommunities argued that use of the land by local people wasn’t significant enough to warrant a village green.

Barrister David Manley QC, leading the inquiry, concluded none of the three requirements had been proved and recommended the application be refused.

A similar bid has been made for a town green in Odsal. The land, known as the Back Field, is surrounded by properties on Larch Hill Crescent. No planning application has been made.

Mr Manley again recommended the application be refused.

Bradford Council’s Miscellaneous Licenses Panel is due to make a final decision on both applications on Thursday.