A POND in a residential area of Chineham has been sold at auction for £3,000 to a mystery buyer.

The 0.60-acre piece of land in Minden Close was sold through Allsop – an auction house in London – on February 16.

However, it is not known what the land could be used for.

READ MORE: Pond in Minden Close up for auction for £3k

Both Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council said the land is privately owned.

It is not the first time land in Minden Close has been for sale.

In March 2020 the Gazette reported that another piece of land in Minden Close was put up for auction, leaving residents confused about why it was for sale and worried about the consequences.

However, the auction for the 6,023 square metres of land was cancelled the day before it was due to be held by Auction House London.

At the time, Cllr Paul Miller, borough councillor for the Chineham ward, told the Gazette that the land for sale was the layers below the Hampshire County Council adopted highway.

SEE ALSO: Mystery auction of land in Minden Close pulled at last minute

He added: “It’s a mystery why someone would want to buy it.”

The auction has sparked fears that the new owners could buy the land and charge residents for parking, or that the pond will not be properly maintained. 

A previous description of the plot of land said: “Purchases are deemed to rely on their own enquiries with regard to any possible development potential for this individual site. All of part of this lot may comprise adopted highway.”

Amanda Owen, clerk to Chineham Parish Council, said: “Unfortunately, Chineham Parish Council are unaware of the reasoning why the land is for sale.”