In the quiet West Yorkshire village of Eldwick, near Bingley, a most unusual property listing has left homeowners utterly bewildered. A slender strip of land, functioning as a public footpath behind houses on Nightingale Walk, has appeared on the Rightmove portal with an asking price of just one thousand pounds.
A 'Superb Investment' or a Baffling Sale?
The listing, which describes the parcel as measuring just under an acre, is being promoted as a 'superb investment' opportunity. It suggests potential uses such as a garden extension or a wildlife sanctuary, albeit strictly subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents. For the residents whose properties border this land, the very notion of its sale has provoked reactions ranging from confusion to outright astonishment.
Resident Reactions: From Flabbergasted to Concerned
The news has sent ripples of disbelief through the community. Richard Sellars, 63, did not mince his words, labelling the situation "bloody ridiculous." He questioned the logic of the sale, pointing out the overgrown state of the grass and the prevalence of dog waste. "It has been left as no man's land," he remarked, echoing a sentiment shared by many of his neighbours.
Graham Frances highlighted the central point of contention: the public right of way. "We assumed it has a right of way. So if anyone purchases it they can't do anything with it," he said, indicating that the path's status severely limits any development potential for a new owner.
For Gail Richmond, 63, the concept was simply unfathomable. "A footpath is a footpath. I did not realise it could be sold," she stated, adding that she thought such community assets were "there forever" when the estate was originally built around the year 2000.
Maintenance Mysteries and Legal Headaches
Beyond the initial shock, practical concerns have quickly surfaced. Several residents pointed out that whoever becomes the new owner would inherit significant maintenance responsibilities, from cutting the grass to trimming hedges and dealing with litter. Paul Bryant, 60, noted the irony, saying, "I find it quite strange it is for sale because whoever buys it has got to maintain it so I can't see anyone buying it."
There is also confusion over who currently owns the land and who has been maintaining it until now. Some residents reported that a company has historically cut the hedges, while others believed it was council land. Attempts to clarify ownership with Bradford Council have, according to one neighbour, yielded no clear answers, deepening the mystery.
Karen and Tom Raw, among the first to move onto the estate 25 years ago, summed up the prevailing mood. Karen called it "the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard," while Tom warned that any buyer "is going to have a big headache because people are going to be complaining about all sorts of things."
The Reality of a Public Right of Way
Legal experts would likely confirm the residents' suspicions. A designated public footpath comes with a right of way that cannot be easily extinguished. This means that even if the land is sold, the public's legal right to walk along it remains intact, severely restricting what the new owner could actually do with the parcel. As one anonymous resident pragmatically noted, "You cannot build on it anyway. It is a public footpath and there is no room."
The listing has ignited local speculation, with concerns that the village's Facebook page will "be lighting up" with worries about potential, though unlikely, development. The footpath is well-used by children from the nearby primary school and dog walkers, reinforcing its role as a community thoroughfare rather than a developable plot.
As the land goes under the hammer, the residents of Nightingale Walk are left watching with a mix of bemusement and concern, waiting to see if anyone will indeed pay £1000 for the privilege of owning—and maintaining—their local footpath.
