THE prayers of Cowling residents look to have been answered as a surprise benefactor has offered to build them a new village hall.

Cavalier Marketing Ltd, which owns Acre Mill in the village, is in talks with residents to build a new hall on the site as part of a development package.

Around 34 houses would be built alongside the new facility and the existing hall would be handed over to the company.

However, planners at Craven District Council may decide low cost housing is more urgent than a new village hall.

Architects John and Jennifer Wharton, of Carleton, discussed initial blueprints with residents on Monday night.

Owner of Cavalier David Harrison said: "Originally we had in mind seven low-cost houses, but I later learned the village was in desperate need of a village hall as the existing hall was unsuitable in many respects and in poor condition.

"In my judgement, a new village hall would be a more valuable community asset than some low cost housing.

"I must stress that negotiations with the village hall committee are at an early stage, but appear to be progressing well and I am optimistic a joint venture scheme will produce a new village hall for Cowling, subject, of course, to approval of the scheme by Craven District Council."

Chairman of Cowling Parish Council John Alderson said: "If we can get a purpose-built village hall on that site, we will have solved all our problems in one fell swoop."

The current hall is in a bad state of repair and to bring the building up to basic health and safety requirements would cost £4,000.