RESIDENTS on a "quiet backwater" in Lychpit have been woken from their slumber after learning that their beloved green spaces are at risk of being sold.

They were given quite the surprise when, in the midst of the coronavirus lockdown, a total of 73 cars passed through Broadhurst Grove and Saxon Way in a couple of days to view the land up for sale - the roads, paths and green spaces.

And it wasn't until residents investigated that they found the source of the issue - they say the developer was selling the land that they had been using for the last 40 years.

Basingstoke Gazette:

When they started digging, they noticed how it appeared to be very similar to the situation that The Gazette reported on Minden Close in Chineham.

The soil underneath the road was put up for sale, with residents fearing that they would be charged for any works.

Terrified that they would lose what they refer to as their "village green" - a key part of the attraction of moving to the development which has been appreciated more during lockdown - they set to work trying to canvas support from the parish and borough councils.

However, whilst they've been pleased with support from their representatives Cllr Onnalee Cubitt and Cllr Sven Godesen, they say they're disappointed that the borough council isn't doing more to stop the land from being sold.

Basingstoke Gazette:

Sheena Grassi, who lives opposite the village green, said: "This is our green space.

"If it was built on it would ruin the lives of the people that live there.

"It was never meant to be built on, it was always meant to be left like this.

"That was meant to be the village green and the other area was meant to be the biodiversity area."

Sheena says the land had been put up for sale twice since May. In one listing online, it appears that the land had been sold for £19,000, whilst an auction is upcoming on July 28 for the land on Saxon Way only.

The Gazette has contacted Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for comment.