CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save a community allotments in King's Somborne have successfully had it relisted as an asset of community value.

A group of allotmenteers and other residents are fighting against the sale to potential developers of the site on Furzedown Lane by the Diocese of Winchester.

The site had been due to expire as an asset of community value (ACV) on June 10, after five years.

However, it has now been re-listed as an ACV, meaning the nominated body, which is King's Somborne Parish Council, must be notified of the intention to sell.

The Diocese have said it is open to offers until July 18, with the site listed with agents Carter Jonas.

Test Valley Borough Council corporate portfolio holder, Maureen Flood, said: "The allotments in King's Somborne are currently listed as an asset of community value.

"Test Valley Borough Council has received notification from the owner of their intention to sell the allotments. The borough council has informed King's Somborne Parish Council of this as the nominating body.

"Once the owner notifies the council of their intention to sell, the nominating body, in this case the parish council, has six weeks to request that they be considered as a potential bidder for the site."

Campaigners say the parish council has decided to put in a bid, with those aiming to save it from development hoping the Diocese will consider the offer rather than sell to an agent for housing.

Lisa Johnson, who has had an allotment for the past four years, said: "The aim is to get the Diocese to sell the land to the parish council for allotment prices. There is also a petition being set up ready for the church summer fete on Sunday.

"Then, we will start getting signatures from other groups in the village and will hopefully be available in the shops and pub."

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Winchester said: "The site is open to offers and the deadline is July 18 2018. The vendors are not obliged to accept the highest, or indeed any offer.

"It will be a precondition of sale that any buyer will have to provide suitable alternative allotment space."