A quest to get land owned by social housing group Incommunities designated village green status has failed.

David Hemsley, of Allerton, Bradford, had applied to have an area near his home, between Cote Lane and Allerton Road, officially recognised as a village green for the community.

But yesterday Bradford Council’s miscellaneous licences panel decided because the land was already designated open space for recreational purposes it did not pass the necessary statutory test.

Mr Hemsley had believed getting the village green status would protect it from any development but the idea had brought in objections from the Council and Incommunities.

The land, known as The Green, was bought by Bradford Council in 1954 for housing, but never built on and was kept as open space. Ownership was transferred to Incommunities.

Although there are no planning applications being considered for the area, Mr Hemsley was concerned it was so close to Allerton Lane, where developer Hallam Land Management wants to build 292 homes on the Pitty Beck greenfield site.

His application was considered at a public inquiry in February when barrister David Manley QC concluded none of the requirements to get the special status had been proved.

The panel upheld his recommendation.