THREE of the oldest council homes in Hampshire are to be sold in a deal that could approach £1m.

Winchester City Council wants to sell three properties in Eastgate Street. They date from the mid-19th century.

The buildings are Grade II listed and expensive to maintain because of their age. The Conservative-controlled council has a new policy of selling up to ten empty homes a year, if each needs maintenance work of more than £8,000.

Number 11 Eastgate Street is a three-bedroom house with an estimated market value of £400,000. Numbers 5 and 6a are two-bedroom flats valued at £200,000 each.

The properties are bound to be popular because of their age. The flats boast unusual double fronts with curved bays.

The estimated windfall could be at least £800,000 but prices could go higher in the still-excited local housing market.

Tony Coates, portfolio holder for housing and communities has asked for feedback by July 18. The Liberal Democrat opposition do not oppose the Eastgate Street sales but are unhappy about the sale of three-bedroom houses at 162 Stanmore Lane, Stanmore and at 1 Battery Hill, Bishop's Waltham. Cllr Dominic Hiscock said: "Eastgate Street homes are very expensive to maintain being listed. They are outside ordinary council stock.

"We have objected in the strongest possible terms to Stanmore Lane. It is a perfectly ordinary council house that could easily be let to a family.

"It is structurally sound. It only needs money spending on it because the previous tenant did not want to be disturbed," said Cllr Hiscock, a former portfolio holder for housing. As a result of feedback a council spokeswoman said the sales in Bishop's Waltham and Stanmore would be reviewed.

Cllr Hiscock said he was unhappy that under the council policy half the proceeds would go towards social housing, but that could entail shared ownership. The Lib Dems want the proceeds specifically earmarked for building homes for rent.

The other house set to be sold is Meadow View, Garnier Road, St Cross, a four-bedroom house, recently vacated by Stoneham Housing Association, and valued at £400,000.