THE borough council has said it has ‘no current plans’ to dispose the portion of land it owns on the Camrose site – but it would review its options if approached.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council owns 1.94 acres of the football ground land and has previously been pressed for an answer on what it is going to do with the portion of the land.

The Camrose was previously the home of Basingstoke Town Football Club until it was thrown out by its former owner Rafi Razzak and his company Basron.

Earlier this year Mr Razzak was given permission following an appeal to demolish the ground and build 85 dwellings and a 70-bedroom care home on the site.

Last month at a full council meeting, the leader of the Basingstoke and Deane Independent Group Cllr Paul Harvey called on authority chiefs for answers on the future of the council-owned land.

READ MORE: Councillor says a plan needs to be made to secure the future of football in Basingstoke

Now, deputy council leader and cabinet member for finance and property John Izett has set out its stance.

In a statement, Cllr Izett said: “The council’s land, which is approximately 1.94 acres, was not included in the area of the recent planning appeal for the redevelopment of the Camrose site.

“While the council holds the freehold of this 1.94-acre area, it is subject to a ground lease of 92 years from June 1960 at a rent of £65 per year to Basingstoke Town Limited, which expires in 2052.

“Discussions had taken place with Hampshire County Council, as the highways authority, about a Camrose link road option as part of the wider improvement scheme for Brighton Hill roundabout which would have included some of this land. However, the county council has confirmed that, with no funding available from the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership for this part of the scheme, it is not able to progress with the link road option at the current time.

SEE ALSO: Hampshire County Council will not build Camrose link road

“The current value of the council’s interest in the land at the Camrose site is based on its existing use and the ground lease to Basingstoke Town Limited does not expire for another 30 years. However, circumstances such as changes to the planning context of the council’s land may affect the value of the land. The value of the land would need to be assessed if the council were to consider any future sale and would be subject to an independent valuation in accordance with section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 to secure the best value for council tax payers in the borough.

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“We have no current plans to dispose of this land however if any party was to approach the council for this freehold section of land to be included in any future scheme, the council would review the option to dispose of this land at that point in time.”

Following the inspector's decision, the football club has since decided not to fight the plans.

Mr Razzak has been contacted for a comment on the council's statement.