A FORMER car repair garage in Southampton has gone under the virtual auctioneer’s hammer for £156,000 in an online bidding war.

The property at Radcliffe Road in Northam was among 137 lots being sold online by Clive Emson, the regional land and property auctioneers.

Situated in a largely residential street the freehold property went for £36,000 more than the lower end of the guide price.

The garage was opened in 1975 by Ivor Smith, who is said to have built it himself.

An outline application to replace the building with four one-bedroom flats was approved by the city council in 2017.

Rob Marchant, Clive Emson’s Hampshire auctioneer, said: “We anticipated keen interest, with the final bid coming in at £156,000.

“The building has planning permission for four flats to be built in its place following demolition. However, we are not privy to any plans the new owners may or may not have.”

Two pieces of land in Romey and the New Forest have also changed hands.

A site at the rear of 31-33 West Street, Ringwood, which has planning permission for two two-bedroom houses, sold prior to auction. The guide price was £220-240,000.

A parcel of “overgrown” land on a residential development behind 67 Knatchbull Close and 14 Bridge Road, Romsey, also sold prior to auction. The guide price was £1,000-plus.

Clive Emson’s next digital auction ends on Wednesday, November 4.