A HALF-million pound price tag has not deterred a community group from planning to buy a vacant rectory and turn it into a multi-functional village amenity.

The idea has been mooted by the newly-constituted Carleton Community Association - formerly the Millennium Committee - and will require the sale of the present village hall to help raise some of the money.

But the scheme will depend on at least 75 per cent of villagers agreeing to the sale of the present hall - as laid down by a covenant - and so far it has received mixed views.

CCA member, local resident and historian Sue Wrathmell said she would like to see the early 18th century listed building, recently vacated by retired rector Canon Simon Hoare, bought by the village for community use.

It is believed to have been valued at £500,000 and is to be put up for auction by the Diocese of Bradford.

Mrs Wrathmell's ideas include converting the early 18th century listed building into a community centre with hall, sports, theatre, IT and conference facilities. Suggestions also include employing a resident warden.

The village would have to look at around £1 million of funding to realise the ambition.

"I approached some members of the Millennium Association recently suggesting investigations be done to look at the possibilities of the venture and also to find out whether there would be support from the village," she said.

"I think many people would prefer to see the building used by the people in the area rather than it being sold to the highest bidder for whatever purpose. The village hall we have is fairly well used, but does not offer all the facilities we need in the 21st century," she added.

She has asked the Diocese of Bradford, which owns the rectory, if it would "withhold" the sale for a year or so if the community association wants to buy it. She is still awaiting a reply.

Chairing the meeting, Steve Richardson said he wanted villagers to give their initial support so the committee could delve deeper into the finer details of the purchase.

A feasibility study would have to be carried out, which would look at funding sources, community need and access improvements because the rectory is near a blind corner.

But although the group has been given the go-ahead to get more details, several people at the meeting did not like the thought of change.

A letter was read out from the warden and residents of Spence's Court almshouses, situated next to the rectory. They were against the proposals saying it would create disturbance for the elderly people.

Villager Mary Smith agreed. "It is a ludicrous idea. The area is totally unsuitable and the entrance is a killer. There's nothing wrong with the hall we have," she said.

Robert Mason added: "I've never heard anything like it. Some of you most be in cloud cuckoo land."

Another resident said the village's St Mary's Church was getting to the stage when major renovation work would be needed. "Could the community support two big fundraising efforts going on at the same time?" she asked.

Another resident asked how the group was going to find money for the study after it failed to raise £4,000 for a similar one to convert the present hall.

However, the plans could fall at the first hurdle if the majority of the village does not agree to the sale of the current village hall.

A covenant on the hall, formerly known as the Tithe Barn, states that 75 per cent of residents have to agree to its sale or it cannot go ahead.

The community committee agreed to gather more information about the proposed project and hold a public meeting in the village to see if the plans can be taken further.

After the meeting, diocesan secretary Malcolm Halliday told the Herald: "The diocese is unable to withhold the sale of the rectory because it is a charitable trust and, effectively, the proceeds from the sale of such buildings go towards stipends for the clergy.

"However, what has been decided is that the rectory will be auctioned. This will take around six months to arrange. That will give the community association time to raise the money if that is what it decides to do."