A COMMUNITY is fighting against the sale of their allotments that have been listed as an asset of community value for the past five years.

The allotments, in King's Somborne, are 'open to offers' from the Diocese of Winchester, who say the sale is necessary to boost their funds.

Now, campaigners and MP Caroline Nokes have expressed their concern over the potential sale.

The site on Furzedown Road has been listed as an asset of community value (ACV) for the past five years, and that listing ends on June 10. That means that should it be sold prior to that date, it must remain as an allotment site.

However, the Diocese have said they are open to offers from any time now up until July 18 from potential buyers.

Forty-two-year-old Lisa Johnson has had an allotment on the site for the past four years, and said she believes the Diocese are trying to get around the planning regulations.

She said: "They have a small window and they are trying to use it. I don't think they realise just how important these allotments are to the community. I have two young children who love it, and there are some residents here who had had allotments for the past 40 years!

"It's such a worry. We know development is needed, but this doesn't seem quite right. As a community group, we weren't even told officially that it was up for sale, we had to find out a different way."

Under regulation, an ACV must be offered to the community group who registered it should the owner want to sell. Then, the group has six months to raise funds for the purchase. They can also agree to another buyer during that time.

A spokesperson for the Diocese said: "The Diocese of Winchester is intending to sell the allotments in King's Somborne. As a charity, we are under a legal duty to make the best possible use of our assets in order to raise money to be able to continue to support the work of the Church of England here in the Diocese.

"The site is open to offers and the deadline is 18th July 2018. The vendors are not obliged to accept the highest, or indeed any offer."

They added that any buyer would have to provide suitable allotment space at an alternative site, but there was no definition on how big that would have to be.

MP Caroline Nokes said: "I am very concerned about the plans to sell the allotments used by residents – which I understand is registered as a community asset.

"I support local residents and councillors wholeheartedly in trying to save the King's Somborne allotments in the interest of the community. To that end I have written to the Bishop of Winchester this week to ensure the Diocese is aware of the significant concern in the community."