A GLIDING club in North Yorkshire is to bid for the land it uses, to avoid potentially being left homeless.

Burn Gliding Club unanimously resolved at an Extraordinary General Meeting to bid for Burn Airfield, which is owned by Yorkshire Forward but which must be disposed of when the quango is wound up.

The club has used the airfield for the past 28 years and long-standing member Bob Baines presented plans for the club to secure the site.

Chairman Tony Flannery said: “We are determined to stay at Burn Airfield and know that we have the support of local residents.

“I am therefore delighted that our members have approved and will support a bid to purchase the land that we require. We therefore look forward to working with Yorkshire Forward, the local farmers and the local council to achieve a fair solution to all parties.”

Yorkshire Forward’s preferred option is to place the land in a Trust managed by a local council. If that is not possible, the club understands Yorkshire Forward may offer the site on the open market, but local MP Nigel Adams has told the club a final decision has been delayed until the autumn.

The club said that without a long-term lease, it would be difficult to justify spending money repairing the runways and facilities.

It has discussed a joint-purchase with local farmers, but is to submit a formal bid on its own in case farmers are not interested.

Many members pledged financial support if required and the British Gliding Association can provide further funding.