A rare opportunity to buy just over two acres of land for the community is being grasped by Sutton Parish Council.

The land off Holme Lane, known as Alvic Field, has a guide price of £10,000 and is due to be sold at an auction in Leeds next month.

And, following a special meeting of the council on Monday attended by more than 30 residents, the council is to put in an offer.

Craven councillor, Ken Hart, said the local authority had decided to go ahead following the approval of the majority of residents.

An offer will be submitted by council chairman Councillor Neil Whitaker this week, ahead of the auction on February 5.

“Of the 30 or 40 people who attended the meeting, with the exception of two, they backed the parish council and an attempt to purchase the land,” he added.

Coun Hart, Craven District Council’s Sutton ward representative, said if the local authority was successful in its bid to buy the field, it would consult on how to use it.

“At the last count, there were at least 30 people wanting allotments – we could use some of it for that, and people generally wanted us to tidy it up,” he added.

The land, owned by Britannia Developments, was once the subject of a failed housing application that was refused both by Craven District Council and on appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. It was classed as a ‘green wedge’.

Coun Whitaker said it would be an ideal opportunity for the village to solve some of its problems.

And Coun Stephen Place said it was a rare opportunity that needed to be grasped by the parish.

“This is an opportunity for Sutton to get hold of a piece of land and make it something special – we need to look at it because it is an opportunity that won’t come up again,” he added.

He said the project needed some work, but that with a small amount of effort and limited annual maintenance, it could be a bonus for the village.

Coun Hart added the council hopes residents keen to see the field kept for the village will pledge donations, however big or small.

Anyone willing to make donations should contact the clerk, Denise Emmott, on 01535 633972 or any parish councillor.