A South Craven village is to invoke a 35-year-old Act of Parliament to claim a field as a village green for future generations.

Residents in Sutton say they have already won the first battle by stopping Leeds-based Britannia Developments building 25 houses on land known locally as Alvic Field.

And they hope the field's use by Suttoners over the last few decades will hold the key to officially registering it as a village green. But they need evidence from anyone who has used the field over the last 20 years to get in touch.

Last year a Government inspector threw out a planning application from Britannia for houses on the site because it was against Craven's planning blueprint. However, locals fear another challenge in years to come.

They are pinning their hopes on the Commons Registration Act 1965 which was used successfully to secure a patch of land in Oxfordshire as a village green.

Sutton's district councillors Ken Hart and Steve Place have already consulted legal experts at North Yorkshire County Council and the Countryside Commission and are convinced Sutton has a strong case.

"Sutton people claim to have used the land for pedal cycling, the schooling of horses and ponies, rambling and wild flower picking, football, ball games and as a venue for a village bonfire,'' said Councillor Place.

"Local knowledge is the best evidence of public use.''

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