A COMPANY wanted to build a hotel on land that villagers had bought to keep out developers.

Mobberley Parish Council revealed last week that several offers had been made for the 18-acre plot that the village plans to turn into a nature reserve.

"The village bought that land specifically for Mobberley residents to enjoy peace and quiet," said chairman Jim Shepherd. The details were revealed at the village's annual open meeting.

Councillor Shepherd said hotel developers, a fish farm company and Macclesfield Borough Council had all been interested in the land.

But on Friday the retired engineering director declined to reveal more information about the offers.

"Some enquiries were more serious than others," he said. "They didn't talk about money. They just asked if we'd consider it." It is believed Mobberley villagers, who paid about £36,000 for the land near Town Lane three years ago, could make more than £1million by selling it.

But Councillor Shepherd said they did not want to make money.

"We will not be bought off at any price for that land," he said.

"It would do a lot commercially for the village, but then it wouldn't be rural." Instead the council wants to create a nature reserve with trees, 10,000ft of paths and eight car parking spaces. At Wednesday's meeting last week Councillor Shepherd said they were almost ready to submit plans for the site.

"It's for Mobberley people and that's the way it's going to stay," he said.