Sutton and Glusburn councillors listened to a presentation on large scale voluntary transfer (LSVT) of council housing on Monday.

Craven District Council's housing manager David Allison and Eric Summers from Yorkshire Housing Association attended the meeting to explain the effects of the transfer on council tenants.

Councillors heard that the move to transfer the council's property to a private company would happen in April 2003, if the majority of tenants agreed. A vote will be held in September.

At the meeting it was confirmed that existing tenants and owner-occupiers would retain the same rights and that the move would mean improvements to homes, streets and lighting on council estates.

But County Councillor Philip Barrett reminded the council that the majority of local authority houses in Sutton were occupied by elderly people, and said that there was a lot of resistance to change within that group.

"Elderly people are very happy with what they have got. There are a lot of elderly people who are very resistant to change," he said.

He added that because of the amount of older people in the village, there were fewer problems associated with younger residents.

Within Sutton, the councillors heard only one or two houses came available a year, but Mr Allison and Mr Summers could not guarantee these would continue to be given to local people as a priority. Mr Allison said he did not expect the current housing policy to dramatically change.

Concern was also raised about green areas, such as Crofters Hill, and whether these would be seen as ripe for development. Mr Allison replied the housing company would need to go through the planning process like any other organisation.

Coun Chris Suri said: "I am concerned they are going to build on every available piece of land because the house prices are going up so fast in this area."

Mr Summers replied: "The commitment of the housing association is a long term one. It is going to look at the long term benefits to the village."

The next stage of the process will be in June when a draft offer will be sent to tenants for consultation. Sutton Parish Council is now looking to invite residents from Ryedale District Council, which has already transferred its stock to housing associations, to talk to members.