Negotiations are under way to buy an historic plot of land in a Pennine village to help celebrate the Millennium.

Talks are at a crucial stage with the owner of one-and-a-half acres of land at Oxenhope near the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway station.

The parish council aims to buy the land - with help from the Countryside Agency - to transform it into a Millennium Green.

Villagers voiced their support for the venture at a public meeting called to gauge local opinion about the plan to conserve the land, which has links with the village's industrial heritage.

Julia Kitchen, parish council clerk, said: "Our discussions with the owner are at a delicate stage. We hope to agree a price soon.

"We also needed a commitment from the village because of the long-term management of the site and the need to set up a trust. We held a public meeting and there was broad support."

The Countryside Agency has already agreed that the scheme has potential and has provided a small grant to help finance the initial stages of the project, including drawing up plans and consulting the public.

Once the scheme is approved, the CA will provide 50 per cent of the cost to establish the Millennium Green, the rest having to be raised by the community, said Mrs Kitchen.

She said the plot had been chosen because of its unique qualities and situation. It is bounded on one side by Leeming Water, which runs from Leeming reservoir and has a water channel over a weir which once fed the old corn mill, which has been pulled down.

"It's a lovely area with three separate features including a boggy area which can be enhanced for nature conservation," added Mrs Kitchen.

"It is certainly not going to be an urban park and will remain as natural as possible with access and a footpath and some seating.''

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