Furious residents of New Ash Green are fighting to have a say in the future of their shopping centre after plans were announced to sell it off.

The auction, which is due to take place next Thursday (Feb 9), has advertised the property as an investment, suggesting part or all of it may be suitable for redevelopment.

The area for sale includes Ash Green Village Pharmacy, Partners Cafe and Gift shop, Ash Green Fish and Chips and Spice Village – some of whom have been in the village for more than 20 years.

It also includes the flats above them, with the exception of the Co-Op’s supermarket and its upper floor.

The village's three car parks are also part of the deal. The only facilities not under threat are The Badger pub, the library, the Youth and Community Centre and the doctors' and dentists' surgeries.

The news has worried local villagers who fear the sale could mean more houses and pressure on their already groaning facilities and infrastructure in their small community.

Liz Boniface, 75, has lived in the village for 30 years and run craft stalls and community groups in the centre for the last 25. She is urging residents and communities to fight against the sale.

She said: "We can't just sit by and let this happen. We need to put our heads above the parapet and shoot.

"We are worried we won't get a say in the matter. No one has asked us what would be in the best interests of the village.

"If they get rid of the few shops we already have, where are the elderly going to go?

"It's not like they can just jump on a bus to Longfield or Dartford. The bus service around here is abysmal.

"We don't have the infrastructure or the electricity pylons to cope with an influx of new houses and more people. We won't even be a village any longer."

Since the announcement of the sale earlier this week resident Laura Manston has set up the New Ash Green Village Preservation Group and has already had more than 400 members join on social media.

She hopes the group will bring people together to create a forum for debate and discussion about what is best for village, as she claims it is the residents who know what is best for their area.

Laura, who has lived in New Ash Green for 13 years, said: "It is a very special village which is loved by the people who live here, but which comes with its own unique set of challenges. The travel options are non-existent, which leads to anti-social behaviour. It is virtually impossible to get a doctors' appointment and the school is already full."

She added: "We would like a say in the future of the village centre. We know what it's like to live here and we know what it needs."

Laura said the businesses in the centre are the hub of the community: "Some of the businesses have been there for decades. They are well respected and valued in the community. The thought of losing Oxfam is devastating. It's known by all the village children as the local toy shop. It is shops like that that the community depends on. They are a lifeline for the people who own them and offer employment opportunities."

She explained how many children from Milestone Academy, the special needs school in the village, enjoy work experience in the shops as a way of integrating them into the community.

Laura, who also works on the parish council, is hoping that by setting up the group she may be able to delay any decisions being made about the town's future by nominating it as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). The process usually takes eight weeks to conclude but, if successful before the auction next Thursday, would give residents six months to raise enough funds to purchase the centre.

"It's unlikely to happen in that time," Laura said. "They kind of landed the auction on us at short notice so there isn't really enough time."

But she admits there could be a lot of benefits from some new investment in the area.

"It could be wonderful. However, there is just as much chance it could lead to unsustainable and unwanted development.

"There is no concern about some new housing but the infrastructure is bulging at the seams. There are already a lot of people confined to the village because of the lack of travel options. So if they did build more houses they would also need to invest in the necessary infrastructure."

Liz agreed: "It has deteriorated a lot over the years. It does need some investment but they can't just pull it down and put up loads of residential properties."

Selling for more than £3 million, the 4.4 acre area site includes 34 business and up to 20 residential properties, as well as garages and car parking. It is also being offered with the potential for redevelopment, subject to consent.

Cameron Clark, from the New Ash Green Villager Association, said the group are worried about the uncertainty surrounding the centre's future.

"The medium to long-term impact of any sale is obviously unknown at this stage but we would like to work with any new owner to do everything possible to ensure that the centre remains a vital part of the village and that the improvements we have wanted for many years can be achieved.

"The Village Association is encouraged that the planning policies of Sevenoaks District Council aim to ensure the retention of the facilities in the village centre and these policies will determine what can be approved if an application for planning permission is submitted by a new owner for development in all or part of the centre.

"We will ensure that the interests of village residents are put forward if any application is made.

"We will keep a close watch on developments and update residents as soon as we know."

Richard Lodge Management Ltd, the company which managed New Ash Green centre on behalf of overseas owners Piperton Finance, was approached for comment.

A spokesman for Sevenoaks council said: "New Ash Green Centre is in private ownership and we are aware that part of site has been put up for sale by the owners.

“Should the current or new owners wish to develop the site, they would need to apply for planning permission in the usual way. Any application would be considered against national and local planning policies, which allocate the site for regeneration with a mix of retail space and housing. As with all planning applications, there would be an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposals.

“Outside of the formal planning process, we will continue to work with the community and the owners of the centre, as we have for over 20 years, and with them, play an active role in establishing a positive, shared vision for the future of the village centre.”