CIVIC chiefs have spoken to a Dorset housing association that wants to sell a Winchester property it acquired for free from a homelessness charity.

As reported in the Chronicle, Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA) took over the properties of Keystone in 2016.

Five have already been sold on the open market for more than £2m and now it wants to dispose of a property comprising four flats in St John's Road.

READ MORE HERE: Residents shock as landlords try to evict them to sell their homes

The sales have sparked widespread anger as Keystone, also known as Winchester Churches Housing Group, was set up in 1988 with donations from many people to help tackle homelessness. BCHA has been accused of asset-stripping and breach of faith.

A city council spokesperson said they were aware of the issue. In a statement it said: "Any loss of accommodation for people who are at risk of homelessness in our district is concerning. Our first priority in situations like the one reported, is always helping people at risk of being made homeless and supporting them into new accommodation.

"Although we have been in touch with BCHA, any decision to purchase properties would first have to be financially assessed then taken to cabinet for a decision, neither of which has happened to date."

SEE ALSO: Church charity accused of asset-stripping over property sales in Winchester

The property in St John's Road is reckoned by property experts to be valued at around £650,000.

The city council gave a £90,000 grant for the property to be upgraded, raising the question of whether it would seek to get its money back now the property is set to be sold.

The statement said: "Over the years, the city council has provided funding to this property so that it can be brought into use for homeless accommodation - this would be a matter for the council to determine should the property be sold."