A TREASURED open space, lovingly cared and maintained for over a decade, could be lost, if highways' bosses cash in.

For more than 15 years, Alderbury parish council has spent £6,000 on the upkeep of the open space in front of Waleran Close, opposite the recreation ground.

Having spent three years trying to find out who owned it, the community has now learned it belongs to the Highways Agency and is valued at between £60,000 and £80,000.

Parish council chair Richard Britton said nobody had been bothered about the green, until enquiries were made relating to its ownership.

Now the council has been warned that the Highways Agency is considering selling the land at auction to a private developer, and the news has left residents reeling.

They say a new development, just yards from their front doors, would devalue their properties and ruin their village.

Mr Britton said: "Alderbury is really a strip development and we regard that open space as a recognisable centre and focal point for the village, and would like to keep it that way.

"We recognise that we will have to pay for it and the Highways Agency has accepted the idea of a discount to reflect the costs we have incurred.

"But this is a bone of contention, and we have no way of paying £60,000 to £80,000 to buy the land ourselves."

There are also concerns that a developer would initially fence off the land - which currently houses the Alderbury village map and sign - leaving it overgrown and untidy.

Resident Helen Smith (38) moved into Waleran Close with her family last summer.

She said: "None of the residents wants a development here. We moved here last June and the open space was one of the things that attracted us.

"It's a beautiful space, ideal for children and the community, and is a feature of the village."

A Highways Agency spokesman said: "The Highways Agency does own a small area of land in the village of Alderbury.

"It has been declared surplus to our requirements and we are exploring how best to sell the land to obtain the best value for the taxpayer.

"We have contacted local landowners to see if they are interested in buying any parts to extend their gardens and the level of interest will help us decide how best to proceed.

"We applied for planning permission to see if the land had any development potential but this was refused, so it is unlikely that any conventional development will take place in the near future, but that is a matter for the planning authority.

"We are sensitive to the parish council's wishes and have tried to keep them advised of progress.

"We shall be offering to meet them, and explain the disposal process and options in more detail, if they think that would be helpful."