A LYNDHURST activity centre is expected to be put on the market soon for around £3m, say campaigners hoping to save it.

As reported in the A&T the Girlguiding activity centre Foxlease on Clay Hill is one of five across the country facing the axe, alongside overseas operations, in a cost-cutting drive by the organisation.

In a bid to save the site, which is expected to be put on the market by estate agents Savills in the coming weeks, campaigners have formed charitable incorporated organisation Foxie’s Future.

The group has also registered Foxlease as an Asset of Community Value, which could help them in their bid to buy the facility.

As part of the Localism Act 2011, assets of community value can be nominated by parish councils or groups with a connection to the community.

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If accepted by New Forest District Council, groups are then given a six-month window to be able to put a bid in when the asset goes up for sale.

Campaigner Vivienne Franklin told the A&T the group was “working very hard” to put a business plan together and bidding for grants, alongside its Crowdfunding campaign, which has reached around £65,000 on and off-line.

She said a soft launch of the sale of the site was expected in the next few weeks, with a guide price of around £3m.

Turning to plans for the site she explained: “Our general aim is that it would be used for Girlguiding but we would also like to make it a hub for the community and schools to use.

“We are a not-for-profit group, but obviously the site has to pay for itself.”

Vivienne added the group was open to suggestions of funding streams or advice.

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Concerns over the loss of the site have been raised by New Forest East MP, Sir Julian Lewis, who called for the Charity Commission to investigate during a recent Westminster Hall debate on the future of Girlguiding.

A Charity Commission spokesperson confirmed it had opened an “ongoing compliance case” and that it had made “no finding of wrongdoing at this time”.

Girlguiding and Savills both declined to comment when approached by the A&T.

Those interested in supporting Foxie’s Future can contact them online at www.foxiesfuture.co.uk