It's time for those arguing about the future of The Hill College to get back to the negotiating table, says the action group set up to ensure the future of the Abergavenny campus.

A spokesman for CASH (Community Action to Save The Hill) said: "Whatever the rights and wrongs of the current dispute, the fact is that a precious asset, originally intended for the education of people of Abergavenny, is standing idle.

"In 2009 Coleg Gwent deemed The Hill surplus to requirements. This decision was made without effective and adequate consultation with the community.

"In response the community protested against Coleg Gwent's decision and the college agreed to lease the property to Dr Ta'eed prior to him being able to purchase the premises.

"Now that negotiations over the sale have broken down, Coleg Gwent states that it is 'reassessing all its options' and claims that it has 'always taken the views of the local community very seriously.' But again they have taken action without consulting the community."

"Coleg Gwent proposes to sell off an Abergavenny asset to benefit their five campuses outside Abergavenny when The Hill could still serve an important function in the town.

"We note that Coleg Gwent received £470,000 of funding from Europe and MCC, to build and equip a Learning Action Centre at The Hill, for the education and training of local people. Presumably other campuses have benefitted from the equipment taken by Coleg Gwent from this centre when it leased The Hill to Dr Ta'eed.

"The situation in 2011 is completely different from that of 2009. There is now community involvement in practical education and environmental work at The Hill together with backing from the national Raymond Williams Foundation. In our view it is time to get back to the negotiating table!"

Today (Thursday)three representatives of CASH are meeting Coleg Gwent officials at the Usk campus. They are Kim Waters, David Haswell and Hamish Sandison.

CASH is holding a public meeting on Friday 25 February at St Michael's Centre beginning at 7.30pm (immediately after the AGM). Dr Ta'eed will address the meeting along with Derek Tatton, administrator of the Raymond Williams Foundation. Dr Nicola Perkins Director of Mulberry House and Chair of Partnership at The Hill (PATH) and Irena Morgan from Friends of Gardd y Bryn will also be present to talk of their work and answer any questions.

If you wish to add your support to this campaign, please email [email protected]">[email protected] or phone 01873 858912 for further information.

A spokesman for Coleg Gwent said: "Following its decision to close The Hill, Coleg Gwent came to an agreement with Dr Ta'eed to sell The Hill at an agreed price. The college subsequently agreed to lease The Hill to Dr Ta'eed whilst he attempted to raise the funds to meet his agreement and to allow him to start his business venture. The college offered this lease at no cost, and subsequently extended the lease to allow him more time to raise the money.

"When Dr Ta'eed withdrew from the agreement it put the college in a position of having to review its options in order to meet its legal obligation to demonstrate it is obtaining best value from its asset. It is irresponsible that anyone should suggest the college do otherwise.

The proceeds from the sale of The Hill will be re-invested in improved facilities at its seven sites for the benefit of the 29,000 learners who attend the college from the communities it serves.

"The college has taken account of the views of the local community, meeting regularly with Bryn Y Cwm Forum. It was at the invitation of the college that CASH have agreed to meet this week to discuss the current situation that Dr Ta'eed's withdrawal from the agreement has placed the college in. The college has willingly agreed to the request from the Friends of Gardd-y-Bryn to continue to tend the gardens at The Hill.

"The college looks forward to hearing any suggestions, and will do its best to act on them whilst bearing in mind the best interests of the college, including its legal obligation to be able to demonstrate it has secured best value."