RAFI Razzak and his company Basron have informed the borough council of their intention to sell The Camrose football stadium.

In 2019 Basingstoke Town Football Club was kicked out of the ground by its former owner Mr Razzak and 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.

Now it has been revealed that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council received notification on Tuesday, October 31, of its intention to sell The Camrose.

The ground was made an asset of community value in May last year following a First-Tier Tribunal, which at the time the club described as a “great opportunity” if the land was put up for sale.

As a registered Asset of Community Value, the intention to sell the asset evokes a six-week interim moratorium period. This gives community interest groups an opportunity to confirm whether they wish to make a written request to be treated as a potential bidder. If no requests are received during this period, the owner is free to sell their asset at the end of the six weeks.

If a community interest group does make a request during this interim period, then the full six-month moratorium will operate until April 2024, which provides an opportunity for a community interest group to prepare a business plan and secure appropriate finance.

A statement on the football club’s website adds: “We have been advised further to note, however, that the owner is under no obligation to accept a bid from a community group.

“We have no further comment to make on this matter whilst stadium conversations are on-going between Basingstoke Town Community FC and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.”

The Gazette contacted Mr Razzak for more information on the intention to sell but he declined to provide a comment.

Information on the borough council’s website states that any community interest group wishing to be treated as a potential bidder has until Tuesday, December 12, to confirm this in writing, to the council postal address or via communityassets@basingstoke.gov.uk.

It comes after the football club, in October, revealed an ambitious, "fully-costed" business plan to build a new football stadium at the Leisure Park.

The proposed new stadium would be located at the Leisure Park, in Worting Road, and feature a clubhouse, 3G pitches, and even classrooms for academy players to study in, emphasising the community aspect of the club.

In a statement released on its official website, the club said it has held "initial talks with the new leaders at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council over recent weeks". 

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has been contacted for a comment.