MYSTERY over land ownership has delayed plans to tidy up an eyesore site in Keighley.

Residents in the Westfell area, off Fell Lane, teamed up with local councillors to spruce up the derelict land.

They wanted to cut back vegetation, prune trees and carry out new planting on the triangle of scrubland on Westfell Way.

District councillor Adrian Farley, who is spearheading the initiative, said money had been secured from several funding pots to help carry out the facelift.

But he said the volunteers did not dare go ahead until they could confirm that they have permission to carry out work.

He said: “We can’t do anything until we find out who owns it. There could be issues of insurance and liability.”

Cllr Farley, who represents Keighley West ward on Bradford Council, said that the national Land Registry listed the land as “unregistered”. This meant it had not changed ownership since before 1970. He said: “We’re having to go to the West Yorkshire Archives to look for evidence.”