A VILLAGE is split by the news that a developer wants to buy its playing field to build 32 houses.

Middleton St George and Low Dinsdale parish councils, whose faulty play equipment could cost £15,000 to repair, now face a new dilemma.

Miller Homes is offering a land exchange at the back of High Stell next to the water park reservoirs.

It could result in a new sports and community centre, football field and purpose-built play area.

On Wednesday, Low Dinsdale turned public what was intended to be a private meeting with Middleton St George to discuss the offer.

Coun Brian Jones of Middleton St George Parish Council, which owns 75pc of the land, said the offer made him think how it could best be brokered to the village's advantage.

He suggested to Miller that the present community centre and board room in the water park could be demolished and replaced by a new playground at the front and sports hall and community centre, with showers and changing rooms, further back.

The new land, which Miller Homes has the option to buy, would provide a football pitch. Miller accepted the idea in principle.

"This is a chance we might not get again," said Coun Jones. "All this for the cost of 32 homes. It is nothing compared with the numbers which have already been built in the village. I am well aware this is a hot potato, but it is an offer worth looking at."

He suggested a referendum among villagers.

An initial valuation suggested the playing field was worth £500,000. Match funding from sources such as the lottery might be possible.

But Coun Frank Richardson, chairman of Low Dinsdale Parish Council, said villagers were fed up with new housing.

He was critical of what he saw as a grandiose scheme which would mean Low Dinsdale handing over its 25pc share of the selling price.

"The present community centre is only used about 13 hours a week. We would be building a bigger white elephant and it is going to cost us a fortune. The people who come into the village don't use the facilities, it is just the houses and the school."

Coun Mike Latter described the scheme as "just so much pie in the sky".

Old resentments flared during the stormy meeting. Coun Richardson later said his council had mistrusted Middleton St George since the playing field deeds mysteriously disappeared in the 70s.

But Coun Jones said: "If working hard and giving up your free time to improve facilities is a crime, then I plead guilty."

Middleton St George Parish Council will discuss the proposals on September 10.