PIGEON fanciers are preparing for a legal battle with a developer who they claim bulldozed one of their lofts on land at the centre of an ownership dispute.

John Best claims that the plot was passed on to him by another fancier more than 46 years ago.

But house builder David Welstead is arguing the land is included in a property that he bought, and he has submitted plans to build an estate of traditional village terrace houses, near the River Derwent, at Shotley Bridge.

In response, Mr Best and fellow fanciers Raymond Dodd and brother, Robin, have initiated proceedings to claim adverse possession of the land, by lodging papers with the Land Registry.

The wrangle began after Mr Welstead bought land in the centre of Shotley Bridge. He submitted an application to Derwentside District Council for outline permission for housing development. The piece of land in dispute falls outside the boundary wall of the old mill, which is to be developed.

Mr Best said: "Last November, myself and Mr Dodd were given notice to leave the land. Just over two weeks ago, workers knocked down one of my lofts and days later pulled down a fence leading to the land in dispute."

Mr Best, a leading member of the Shotley Bridge Homing Society, said: "No one knows who owns the land, but it was given to me by a friend 46 years ago.

"The land has been used for generations by pigeon racers. I have 60 birds on the site and have been told the remaining lofts will be pulled down at the weekend." Mr Best said the owners of two lofts on the property itself had accepted compensation.

A district council spokesman said the application was for 45 dwellings, including 12 units at the old mill and 26 new houses.

He said: "We are still in talks with the applicant over some issues surrounding the plans. The matter of ownership of the land is a matter between the developer and the pigeon-loft holders."

Mr Welstead has declined to comment.