RESIDENTS are locked in a race against time to buy up more than six acres of land in the heart of their village to guarantee its future as an amenity which could be an important wildlife area.

The owners of the land in Blackawton want to see the wetland and meadow area sold off through sealed bids with an asking price of between £10,000 and £15,000 an acre – with a closing date for bids of July 27.

Villagers held a meeting in the George Inn to try to sort out ways of buying the land to safeguard it.

Pub landlady and parish councillor Ruth Coe is already investigating ways of getting the sale put on hold through the Localism Act – and is aiming to write direct to Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles and MP Sarah Wollaston.

Meanwhile, some villagers are looking at putting a cash bid together to try to buy the site so it can be transferred later to a community trust, said Ruth. 'This site ought to belong to the community,' she said. 'People are trying to pursue a community option but unfortunately we are running out of time.'

The 6.8 acres of agricultural land, being advertised by Luscombe Maye estate agents as ideal for extending gardens, is sited in such a way that much of the village wraps around it.

Luscombe Maye describe it as 'gently sloping pasture field with attractive spring stream running through the centre. The land is permanent pasture with mature tree boundaries providing shelter and privacy, wild grasses and plants providing an ideal habitat for wildlife.

'The spring stream running across the centre of the field provides potential for the creation of ponds and lakes. The field is south facing and has stunning views across the unspoiled farmland valley beyond.'

Ruth said: 'Over several years we have tried to acquire this land for the community and the people who own it, who live in Norfolk, have never responded positively. Suddenly, out of the blue, all these letters have gone to the houses around it saying it is up for sale.'

She pointed out that it is pasture land with no hope of getting planning permission for development and accused the owner of being greedy by asking between £10,000 and £15,000 an acre for it.

She said she was also looking at contacting the Devon Wildlife Trust as another option.

'Potentially it is a species-rich meadow which had really never had much done to it. We have environmentalists in the village who would love to be involved in a project there.'

She said that the Localism Act allows for a moratorium on sales of land which could be a community asset while communities register an interest but the act is so new that guidelines on how it can be used have still not been produced by the Government.

'The fall back is that we have a few philanthropic people with a bit of money who can get together and put a joint bid in for us. That way it could be protected until we can get a community trust together,' she added.