RESIDENTS of a Hampshire village have stepped up the battle to retain a part of their history.

The community of Bishop’s Waltham have been given the chance to have their say over the future of the Abbey Mill site, which was at the centre of a controversial planning battle.

As previously reported, Sainsburys fought and lost in its campaign to open a new supermarket at the site.

The nine-acre site which was fought over for six years split the town and even drew TV star Amanda Holden, pictured, into the row.

Now the villagers are being asked for their views on how they would like to see the site, which was previously marketed by Savills, used to try to sway new owners to restore the Mill.

Hundreds of people in the town have responded to a survey by Bishops Waltham Parish Council about how the mill and its surrounding flood plains could be restored.

Nearly 500 people took part in the survey, where they were asked if they want the mill restored or demolished.

Many were in favour of keeping the building; 51 per cent were “strongly” in favour of restoration, and 31 per cent said they would “prefer” to see it restored.

Many people said they want it to be used by the community either as a heritage or tourist centre.

More than half who responded also said they were prepared to be part of preserving the mill, either through financial contributions or volunteering.

Among those who took part in the survey was Christine Smith, 64, from Bishops Waltham.

“I would love to Abbey Mill kept as something for the locals in the area to use,” she said.

Trish Simpson-Davis is currently co-ordinating the informal Abbey Mill Future group.

She said: “This would be an ambitious and expensive community project and we have to be sure it’s worth it for Bishop’s Waltham as a whole. We are only too aware that the Abbey Mill needs an economically sustainable longterm future and that a development must increase footfall in the High Street.

“That means a feasibility study is the logical next step, before making any binding decisions to go forward or demolish.

“As soon as we know more about the buyer’s plans, we’ll be asking the council to set up a local partnership, if that’s the appropriate move.”

The survey will now go to the new owners of the site.