A SILSDEN group has launched a campaign to buy a playing field that lies alongside the town’s Hive community centre.

Volunteers who run the Hive are spearheading a fundraising drive to ensure the land remains safe for recreational use by local people.

The Hive committee have until at least July 2021 to raise enough money because the site will not be put on sale until the completion of building work on Silsden’s new primary school.

The grassy field, which lies between Elliott Street and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, is currently used by pupils of the existing Silsden Primary School.

Bradford Council plans to sell the playing field, and both existing school sites, when pupils move to the new school campus on the outskirts of Silsden.

The Hive leaders have applied to the council to have the playing field made an Asset of Community Value, giving it some protection. The application will be heard by Keighley Area Committee on March 26.

In a statement to the Keighley News this week, the Council hinted that the Hive’s plan to buy the playing field would be looked on favourably.

A spokesman said: “The Council’s Executive has already approved the proposed disposal of the two existing school sites and associated playing fields.

“The Council will implement this decision once all statutory processes associated with the disposal of education assets have been fully completed and Department for Education consent has been granted. The school is still entitled to use this facility until July 2021.

“On the basis that one of these sites has been submitted to be nominated as an Asset of Community Value, additional time will be granted to local communities to raise the funds to secure the asset in question.”

The Hive this week launched a fundraising drive on the Givey website under the name The Hive Silsden CIO.

Hive spokesman Jill Cook said: “Until the Council’s estate team give us an idea on the asking price land all we can do is start to fundraise so that we will be in a position to purchase the land when it becomes available.”

Jill said the playing field had been used by local schools for many years for PE lessons and sports days.

She added: “The land is regularly used by local children out of school hours, local dog walkers to exercise their dogs, ourselves for out-of-school clubs, and for the community firework night.

“This area is the only recreation ground in this part of Silsden. With new houses currently being built in Silsden, it is critical that we keep some green space for our children to play.”

If the field gains Asset of Community Value status then is put on sale, the Council must give the local community six weeks to put together a bid to buy it. Status does not force the Council to sell to the community.