PART of a York village has been bought by a nearby college which will use the land for its courses in a “significant boost” for students.

Askham Bryan College’s expansion has seen it seal the purchase of neighbouring Home Farm, in Askham Richard, which covers 324 acres and lies within a multi-million-pound estate sold to a Scottish investment company earlier this month.

The deal means the college, which runs agricultural, horticulture and engineering courses, now has 1,400 acres of land in Yorkshire. It recently announced it will take over the University of Cumbria’s Newton Rigg campus, near Penrith, from the end of July and intends to invest £2.4 million into the site.

The 800-acre Askham Richard estate, which was bought by Edinmore Properties for an undisclosed sum after being put up for sale with a £6.5 million guide price, includes two farms, three dwellings, 14 properties for letting, farm buildings and woodland. It was previously owned by John Carr, an 18th Century architect and former Lord Mayor of York.

Liz Philip, the college’s chief executive, said: “This is exciting news for us and future generations of farmers.

“In particular, students studying arable farming, land-based engineering, equine management, arboriculture and countryside management will benefit from the increased opportunities in terms of broadening the scope of their practical studies. Our aim is to ensure students have the best possible resources to work with, and this is our green laboratory as well as a fully commercial operation.”

Mrs Philip said the college planned to develop “a range of arable trials” at Askham Richard and 30 acres of woodland will be used by forestry and arboriculture students. ”“Hacking tracks” for equine studies and a pheasant shoot for a new gamekeeping course will be introduced and the area’s wetlands will be used by conservation students, with a maintenance and preservation programme now being drawn up for the Home Farm site.