THE British Ameri-can Tobacco sports ground is today at the centre of a new sell-off controversy.

Sale documents passed to the Daily Echo suggest that New Forest District Council supports housing being built on part of the land.

However, council chiefs branded the claim a "gross misrepresentation" and said that they aimed to prevent any development on the nine-acre greenfield site.

Millions of pounds could depend on the outcome of the difference of opinion, with initial valuation of the site as a sports ground at about £2m, way behind its £12m value if redeveloped as housing.

Scores of young sportsmen who use the space this week handed councillors a 14,000-name petition opposing any development.

BAT's move to sell off Southern Gardens in Totton, the sports ground it founded for workers, comes in the wake of its decision to axe its Southampton cigarette factory and 550 jobs.

The decision by the company has plunged the future of several football and cricket teams into doubt.

A letter sent to potential buyers by agent Colliers CRE said: "The local council has indicated that part of the site must remain as a sports ground and that part will be suitable for redevelopment to alternative uses, subject to the necessary constraints."

New Forest District Council's head of planning, Chris Elliott, said: "That statement is a gross misrepresentation of the discussion held at a recent meeting. The council is committed to keeping the whole of the site as an open space for the people of Totton and will be pursuing all avenues seeking to achieve that."

A spokesman for Colliers CRE said: "Ultimately it is up to the planners what is done on the site but we had an indication that part of the site is available for redevelopment. It doesn't mean the whole site, it could be just a small part like an acre.

"If there is a part of the site for redevelopment it will be to the benefit of the site."

A spokesman for Save Totton's Open Spaces, an action group formed to fight any development, said: "The strength of local feeling about this site being developed is demonstrated by the petition we've handed over.

"This is a hugely thriving community sporting facility catering for hundreds of young footballers and cricketers from the west of Southampton and it's the only green space of its kind in the area."