Householders on an estate in Oakworth are angry at what they view of as an unfathomable demand from developer Taywood Homes.

Residents on the four-year-old Oaks estate, in Cure Hill, last week received a letter from the Harrogate-based developer informing them the estate is being adopted by Bradford council.

While the residents have no problems with their roads being handed over to the local authority, they are dumbfounded that the change-over will result in them losing part of their gardens.

The letter sent to residents says that before the council would adopt the roads the home owners have got to give away a 1.8 metre strip of their garden to enable the council to access underground pipes, if and when they need to.

Jeff Toothill, of Berrington Way, says he is astounded by the sudden turn around of the developers.

He says: "When we moved in we pleaded with Taywood to put a proper pavement in. They have done one running around there and then it stops."

Some of the houses on Berrington Way, as well as other roads on the estate, have front lawns which run from the house to the kerbside. Other houses have lawns which stop short of the kerb, allowing for the usual pavement.

Many of the home owners with the larger lawns have cultivated the front edge of their gardens, but must now move their plants, shrubs and flowers back.

Mr Toothill explains: "Before the council will take the road over it wants this strip and anything growing on it moved. I think 'sorry for any inconvenience' is the phrase used."

Mr Toothill, a keen gardener, says he could understand the demand if the strip of land was to be paved over, but the council intends to maintain it simply as a grassy verge.

"They have said they will look after it twice a year like they do with that bit over there," he says, pointing to a patch of long, unkempt grass.

Mr Toothill's wife, Carole, says: "I'm so annoyed. When we moved here I asked the council about this and was told nothing needed to be done as it was up to the owner of the land."

Neighbour Malvine Davis is similarly distressed.

"We're very annoyed. We're not as badly off as Jeff, but nothing was told to us at all," she says.

Mrs Davis, who has ornamental stones as well as small trees planted on the strip at the edge of her garden, is still hopeful and says: "We're holding out to see what happens."

Ward councillor Glen Miller, who has taken an active interest in the home owners' plight, says: "I have been around this estate and through no fault of their own these home owners are faced with the problem of incurring extra cost to move and replant these areas."

A Bradford council highways spokesman says the 1.8 metre strip of land must be cleared as any obstructions could pose a risk to public safety and may affect apparatus of statutory undertakings.

He adds: "The council does not intend to tarmac the service margins because the developers were given permission for these to be constructed on a grassy surface. Residents have also been given the right to maintain them so they are in keeping with their gardens."

"However, as the service margins form part of the adopted highway, they must be kept clear of any obstruction so the public can use them safely and the utilities companies can gain access to the pipes and cables," he says.