BATTLE lines are being drawn in an effort to preserve one of Pocklington's historic highways.

The town's councillors, outraged at moves to build on the Target Lane footpath, are threatening to call in local government watchdogs to investigate a county council blunder.

House builder Britannia Homes was accidentally granted planning permission to construct on two-thirds of the nine-metre-wide footpath by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

But when residents spotted fences going up across the legally-protected right of way, Pocklington Town Council called a halt to building work.

The waymarked path, which runs alongside a former MoD firing range, forms an essential link to local beauty spot Chapel Hill and the 144-house Denison Road estate. East Riding officers, who admit their error, are now hoping to issue a stopping-up order, reducing the size of the ancient carriageway - which is still used as an access road - so the work they authorised can go ahead.

But because more than 60 signatures have been registered in protest, the matter will be referred to the Department of the Environment, which is expected to call a public inquiry.

To strengthen its case, Pocklington Town Council is employing the services of a legal expert in planning matters and is expected to call for an investigation by the Local Government Ombudsman.

Martin Layton, town council clerk, said: "Because of the extreme dissatisfaction of the town council, who are unbending in this, the whole matter is likely to be referred to the ombudsman."

Last week councillors met East Riding officials to discuss the matter on site, but were unable to come to any agreement.

East Riding head of planning and environmental services Philip Parker said the possibility of a public inquiry would rest on a decision by the council's planning and environment committee on Thursday, March 19.

He was unable to comment further on the situation.

A spokesman for Britannia said the firm was happy to let a public inquiry run its course.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.