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The old adage runs that every man has his price. However, residents of small West Yorkshire village were stunned to learn that the price of a public footpath running between their new-builds was apparently £1000.
The tiny parcel of land behind houses in Nightingale Walk in the village of Eldwick, near Bingley, West Yorkshire, has been listed on Rightmove prompting disbelief and confusion from homeowners.
It is being marketed as a 'superb investment' opportunity, suitable for a garden extension or wildlife sanctuary subject to planning consent.
Measuring at just under an acre, the land went under the hammer this week leaving local residents 'flabbergasted'.
There is concern, among other maintenance issues, about who is to maintain the street lamps following the sale.
Richard Sellars, 63, said: 'It is bloody ridiculous. Who on earth is going to buy that? It is a bit ridiculous. Who would buy it apart from us to extend their garden.
'So good luck to whoever buys it. It has been left as no man's land. The grass behind us is so overgrown and full of dog dirt.
'The whole thing is a nonsense. What would you do with it? We could extend it as a garden but we don't want to.'
The tiny parcel of land behind houses in Nightingale Walk in the village of Eldwick, near Bingley, West Yorkshire, has been listed on Rightmove for £1000
Another resident, Graham Frances said: 'It seems a bit strange when you read about its proposed use as a garden extension or wildlife sanctuary.
'We assumed it has a right of way. So if anyone purchases it they can't do anything with it. We will have to wait and see.
'Obviously, if there was not a right of way there it would be an issue. When the estate was built originally in 2000. There was nothing here before but fields. We moved into our house in 2001. Most people assumed it was council owned.
'But someone must own it, to be selling it off. If you buy it, you have to maintain it. So if you buy it as it is you are just going to pay to have it mown.'
Gail Richmond, 63, said: 'I did know it was for sale. I think it is ridiculous. It is too small to put any houses on. Wow. It is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.
'A footpath is a footpath. I did not realise it could be sold. Someone could extend their land onto it but I don't think they would want to.
'I have never heard of anything so ridiculous. I thought when they built the estate it was there forever.
'It is only being sold for a thousand pounds. Whoever owns it, has to maintain it. I have heard of many things in my life but that takes the biscuit.
'I am flabbergasted. I am astounded. I did not even know it could happen. If someone wants to extend their garden they will still have to let people walk through it.'
It is being marketed as a 'superb investment' opportunity, suitable for a garden extension
Paul Bryant, 60, said: 'I did not know it was on the market. I am surprised. It seems bizarre. I can't see anyone wanting to buy it.
'I don't know what they would do it. It is only a footpath, not a bridleway. Technically, people should not go on their bikes on it but they do.
'We knew someone owned it because someone comes and cuts the grass every summer.
'They cannot stop people using it because it is a public footpath. I can't see how anyone could use it because they had to give people a right of way.
'I find it quite bizarre. 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.
'I look forward to the new owners coming. They will have to spend a lot of time clearing up dog poo.'
Nodding in agreement, Paul's wife Karen, 60, said: 'It is a public footpath. It is very strange. If someone buys it they can cut our hedge on the other side.'
Tom and Karen Raw, who are in their 80s were among the first residents to move onto the new estate 25 years ago.
Karen said: 'I have never heard anything so stupid. There must be a public right of way along it.
'I have never heard anything so silly. Who would want it because they would have the responsibility for cutting the grass.
'They have it keep it neat and tidy.'
He said: 'It is an absolutely ridiculous thing. People walk on it with dogs. It is incredible.
'The company that own it come to cut the hedge at the other side of the path and have been doing that for years..
'Whoever buys it is responsible for it - clearing the trees and cutting the grass. We also need access to cut our hedge.
Residents have said they will not respect the decision should the path be sold
'Someone had tried to find who owns it through Bradford Council but has had no luck.
'It is a bit worrying. I thought a public footpath was the responsibility of the council. Whoever buys it is going to have a big headache because people are going to be complaining about all sorts of things.'
Another neighbour, who would only give his name as Steve, said: 'I did not know anything about it.
'No one is going to build a house on it. It is a right of way anyway so no one is going to build on it.'
Another resident, who declined to be named, added: 'You cannot build on it anyway. It is a public footpath and there is no room.
'Whoever buys it has a duty and obligation to maintain it. We have not got a clue who owns it. Bradford Council would not tell me.
'I have complained on numerous occasions. The village Facebook page will be lighting up with people panicking about building new houses.
'You get a lot of kids down here because the primary school is just down the road. You get a lot of dog walkers too.
'You could not fit a bike shed in there let alone a house. It is probably not worth the company's while to maintain it so they are selling it on.'