BOROUGH council leaders have refuted claims that the authority is looking to sell the land it owns at The Camrose.

In 2019 Basingstoke Town Football Club were kicked out of the ground by former club owner Rafi Razzak and his company Basron.

In 2022, permission was granted for 85 dwellings and a 70-bedroom care home on the football stadium site after a government inspector approved Mr Razzak’s appeals.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council own 29 per cent of the land at The Camrose, while Basron own 71 per cent.

READ MORE: Demolition looms: No one shows interest to buy Camrose before deadline

During a full council meeting on Thursday, March 21, Conservative councillor David McIntyre asked for an update on the redevelopment plans for the football ground.

He said: “I’ve taken the time out to meet some of the supporters, to listen to them and hear about their concerns.

“Many of those concerns pre-date my time as a councillor. I’ve started off that conversation with them by telling them I can’t promise them anything because unfortunately that is part of the problem, false promises and a lack of candour.

“All I’m doing is asking for clarity for our residents, clarity isn’t being provided.”

He continued: “Unfortunately though I’ve heard some very concerning things that your Independent and Lib Dem administration, rather than exploring options [to reinstate the ground], you are actively engaging to sell the council-owned land.”

SEE ALSO: 12 photos show the state of The Camrose stadium in 2024

In response, co-leader Gavin James said: “I can confirm that he is misinformed. I also met with members of the Camrose Supporters Club.

“There is a reality, 71 per cent of the land is in private ownership, with planning consent. I have no control over that, nothing I can do about that. Our part of the land has not been put up for sale, it has not been marketed for sale, we are in no negotiations about it. It is sitting there waiting to see what happens with the rest of it.

“Clearly on its own it will not facilitate a football club. So, I’m very much in hands as to what happens with the Basron bit. I’m not going to make any promises I can’t keep, because I can’t promise what Basron are going to do with their part of the land. All I can confirm is we are continuing to support the football club.”

In 2022, the site was designated as an asset of community value, providing community interest groups the opportunity to bid for the land if it comes up for sale.

In October last year, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council received notification from Basron of its intention to sell The Camrose.

Community interest groups were then given six weeks to decide whether they wished to be treated as a potential bidder, but no expressions of interest were received, leaving Mr Razzak and Basron free to sell.