Controversial plans to sell-off Titchfield Haven House could see the visitors centre fetch up to £2million, it has been suggested.

The figure has come from a source inside Hampshire County Council, ahead of the facility being sold on the open market from the middle of September.

The council closed the visitors centre in December as part of plans to tackle a projected £1.8 million funding gap. 

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT) submitted plans to manage the Reserve. At the same time, Titchfield Haven Community Hub (THCH) wanted to take over the now-closed visitors centre.

READ MORE: Titchfield Haven: Campaigners fight to save visitor facilities

But last week, a council report said both proposals put forward by the campaigners were not viable or fully costed. Despite the support received from Government, local MPs, the Titchfield Haven Community Hub (THCH), and the residents, who fundraised £222,000 in five days to help with the cost, the executive member for the countryside and regulatory services, councillor Russell Oppenheimer supported the officers’ recommendation to reject both proposals.

He said that based on their submissions, the hub proposal was “unrealistic” and did not address the investment requirements set by Hampshire County Council.

Cllr Oppenheimer said: “Whilst I appreciate strong local support for a community facility at Haven House, the upkeep of the Nature Reserve must be the top priority when the County Council faces significant financial challenges.

“Furthermore, there are nationally imposed statutory obligations we must meet regarding the management of the Reserve. As a result, I find I have no option but to agree to the recommendations to reject the bids, which will mean a sale of Haven House on the open market to raise vital funds that will be ring-fenced as an investment for the Reserve and its wildlife.”

Now, a source from the county council suggest the price being considered to sell Titchfield Haven House could be around the £2million mark. 

This amount has been “hearsay” in the county corridors, the source said, while it is also rumoured that Haven Cottage could be sold for £650,000.

At the Universal Services Select Committee (July 31), officers indicated that HCC were in the process of selling the cottage.

The anonymous source said: “This is a prime, highly desirable location for someone wealthy, keen on sailing and wanting a lovely harbour for their yacht to entertain guests, so I would not predict any difficulty in achieving these prices for Haven House and Haven Cottage.”

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said, “Regarding the buildings on the reserve – Haven Cottage has been sold and Haven House is due to be marketed next month.

“The purchase price of both these properties will be published once the sales process is fully completed, in line with normal market practice. Proceeds from the sale will be invested back into the upkeep and conservation of this internationally important site.”