PLANS to sell a town's open spaces to a community group for safekeeping have been approved.

Richmondshire District Council has agreed to sell 88 acres of land around Richmond to a group of volunteers.

Richmond Landscape Trust will pay a reduced price of £120,000 for the land, which would have been worth about £200,000 on the open market.

The community group won overwhelming support from residents when it announced its plans to buy, protect and maintain the land, which many feared could be built on if acquired by a developer.

Group spokesman Stuart Parsons said: "Some of these sites are part of the medieval history of Richmond and it would be an absolute disaster to lose them.

"We now have to come up with a long-term management plan for the areas.

"We are going to look at how we can improve access so everybody can enjoy these open spaces."

The details of the deal are being finalised. Trust bosses are expected to sign for the land on Monday.

Concerns about the council's wish to reserve a part of the Westfields site for a playground mean further talks must be held

Council leader John Blackie said: "However, both parties believe the deal can be signed before the end of the month.

"We all agree these very important open spaces for the people of Richmond would be best placed in the hands of a trust, rather than left with the district council.

"This land will not be for development, it will be for residents to enjoy.

"I am very hopeful that in the next week to ten days, we can reach agreement."

The trust's fundraising operation, The Richmondshire Open Spaces Appeal, has raised £40,000 as a downpayment on the land. The remaining £80,000 will be paid in two annual instalments.

The land includes Westfield pasture, a field at Sleegill, part of the south riverbank between Mercury bridge and the falls, Jack King's Wood, and a large field next to Reeth Road cemetery.