A PARISH council will try and buy a wildlife haven near the centre of Oxenhope following news that the current landowner has put the site up for auction.

Members of Oxenhope Parish Council decided this week to go ahead and begin negotiations to take ownership of the land which includes the Horseshoe Dam beauty spot, off Station Road.

Commenting after a closed session meeting on Wednesday evening, (Nov 14) parish council chairman Cllr Ken Eastwood confirmed: "The parish council have authorised the clerk and myself to open negotiations with the agents and their solicitors to secure the title for the benefit of the village."

As reported in the Keighley News in 2015, the previously neglected Horseshoe Dam and its surroundings were the centre of a major clean-up effort by local volunteers after the area became choked with undergrowth and litter.

At the public session of the latest parish council meeting, councillors were informed that this site, together with four other very small parcels of land on nearby Mallard View were being offered for auction.

Cllr Ken Eastwood said the company which used to own this land had been wound up, so it was now being disposed of by solicitors acting on behalf of the Duchy of Lancaster.

He reminded councillors that the Horseshoe Dam had been registered by the parish council as an "Asset of Community Value".

It means the owner of the property cannot sell it without first informing the parish council. The council then has time to come up with alternative options to retain the land for public use – including bidding for the land itself.

Oxenhope resident Louise Scott, who has lived near the Horseshoe Dam for 17 years, told the council meeting: "Nothing much was done to this area until three years ago, when volunteers came together and cleaned it up.

"We made it look really nice and have tried to keep it in good condition since then. It's a gorgeous area.

"I'd ask that the parish council consider buying it as an asset for Oxenhope."

Cllr Ken Eastwood said he would support this way forward, noting it would be well worth the small liabilities the council would take on with the separate, small pieces of land being auctioned off on Mallard View.

Cllr Derrick Hopkinson said: "Most people I've spoken to in the village are supportive of the idea of the parish council taking over the land."

Cllr Tony Maw noted: "Who else would want to buy the land, because what could they do with it? I think we should try and make sure its future is secure."

He was backed by Cllr David Ashcroft, who said: "It's an important asset in the middle of the village. We should certainly weigh up the costs, but we do now have an opportunity and I think we should take it."