BURN Gliding Club is in talks to try to remain on its site if the land is sold by the Government.

As reported by The Press, Yorkshire Forward owns the land used by Burn Gliding Club.

But because the regional development agency is to be disbanded in 2012 there are fears the £2.9 million land will be sold off to raise money for the Government.

But this could leave Burn Gliding Club, which has been established for 27 years, with nowhere to operate from.

The club is now looking to either stay on the land or find an alternative site.

Tony Flannery, chairman of the gliding club, said: “Being a members’ club, which is wholly owned by the members, we have limited funds at our disposal which are gained from the members’ flying fees, and annual membership costs.

“We are in discussions with our MP and Selby District Council in order to get the best help and advice as we can obtain in our quest to stay where we have been for so long, discussions with Yorkshire Forward are ongoing.

“We have had, and will continue to have discussions with others who have an interest on the airfield, like farmers who use the fields within the runways, with a view to maintaining the status quo possibly on a combined basis. It would obviously depend on how much the land is sold for, as to how much we, as a club, can afford to buy.”

He said members were “desperately concerned” that Burn Gliding Club may be forced out.

But it was hoped that given the club had been on the site for the last 27 years they would be given the first opportunity to buy the land, subject to their finances.