The long-running row over the lighting of a landmark Whar-fedale pub looks set to continue into 2003 thanks to a new planning application.

Tom Cobleigh Ltd, the firm which runs The Generous Pioneer, appeared to have resolved a difficult situation in December by agreeing to discuss future lighting plans with the local community.

But now the company, which is waiting to hear the result of an appeal against Bradford Council's refusal to grant permission for its blue strip lights, hopes to add even more lights to the Burley-in-Wharfedale pub.

The application is to fix six lamps to the roof to illuminate its tower and weathervane. Tom Cobleigh's property director Keith Bennett, however, says it is based on a tasteful, revised scheme which he insisted on.

He said: "We wanted lights to highlight the weathervane on the pub but when I went to see what it would look like it is fair to say I wasn't very happy.

"It was a bit of a corporate rollout which looks great on certain buildings but on a building like this one with a stone faade it did look a bit out of place.

"So I had our property people meet with the planners and come up with a different scheme."

Mr Bennett added that even if the pub was successful in its appeal over the strip lights, which local residents say are garish and obtrusive, it had still to be decided if they would be switched back on.

Chairman of Burley Conservatives Matt Palmer was so enraged about the strip lights appeal that he even began calling for a boycott of the inn. Mr Palmer also collected a 200 signature petition.

Bradford District Councillor Chris Greaves (Cons, Romb-alds) said he was disappointed and surprised to hear of the plan.

He said: "I don't see why they should have any more lights - it's a pub, not Blackpool Illuminations. Whether the lights are tasteful or not they will still be impacting on a conservation area and an area of natural beauty."

A decision on Tom Cobleigh's appeal over the strip lights was due by the end of December, but The Planning Inspectorate now says it won't be taken until late February or even March.

Mr Palmer said: "It is a pity the process is taking so long, but I am confident that the appeal will be denied. The lights were clearly inappropriate for the village."