A VILLAGE has lost its battle to claim part of its neighbour's land.

Tempers flared last week when the chairmen of Arthington and Bramhope parish councils argued for and against a review of their boundary.

The larger Bramhope Parish Council had asked Leeds City Council for a review, arguing that those who lived in the parish of Arthington, but with a Bramhope address, should be taken under the wing of the larger council.

But after a recommendation from the Otley and Wharfedale Community Involvement Team (CIT), the council's Executive Board decided on Wednesday last week against carrying out a review.

On Thursday, at a CIT meeting, Councillor John Mordy, Bramhope chairman, asked for a private meeting.

He said the boundary review was very emotive and doubted whether the chairman knew the full facts. "This is a very emotive issue and it is not helpful to discuss it here. I would like a private meeting because there is a lot more to it," said Mr Mordy.

But the chairman, Coun Phil Coyne, said the CIT stood by its earlier recommendation for the boundary to stay and would not agree to a separate meeting.

"I have to be responsive to what people want and I've had no correspondence from any resident of the Arthington area of Bramhope," he said.

Coun Nick Brown, chairman of Arthington Parish Council, said he knew of no-one in Arthington who wanted a change. "There has been no ground swell of feeling and we don't want to waste public money on this. If Arthington residents wanted to go into Bramhope they would have shouted from the rooftops about it."

After the meeting, Coun Brown said he hoped the councils could now get on with running their own parishes. "I don't hold any grudges and would like to call an end to this sorry saga. I would like to think we can now let bygones be bygones."