The first steps have been taken towards establishing a community centre for Steeton and Eastburn.

Residents expressed the need for a community focal point in a survey and the idea is a high priority in the area’s forward-looking document, the Parish Plan.

Councillor Roger Lambert said a company had given him a quote for over £3,000 for vital “groundwork”.

But Coun John Hargreaves said the building would not be used and the council would be left with high maintenance costs.

Craven ward councillor Andrew Mallinson said: “It does seem like a significant amount of money for this work to be done, but this will be the best initial funding you will ever spend on this venture. There might not be the need now but in the future there may be.”

The council agreed to seek another quote, which it is obliged to do on ventures costing more than £1,000.