AT least two different rescue bids could be in place for the troubled Coleg Gwent Campus, The Hill in Abergavenny, The Abergavenny Chronicle believes.

The news comes as Monmouthshire County Council's cabinet announced it had agreed to lift the covenant restricting The Hill to educational use until 2016 in exchange for land at the college's Usk campus. This means the college can in principal sell the building to developers interested in using the site for other uses.

With concern growing over the future use of the site a public meeting has been organised by The Bryn-y-Cwm Community Forum for Monday, June 15 at St Michael's Centre at 7pm to discuss the proposed closure.

Councillor Phylip Hobson, leader of the council's Liberal Democrat group, says that people in the Abergavenny do not want to lose the establishment, a sentiment echoed by the chairman of Abergavenny Local History Society Irena Morgan who has told the Chronicle that the group has written to Cadw asking them to reconsider listing the building.

"We have also asked Cadw to include the walled garden on its garden register and to consider listing the garden wall which has an unusual curved wall on its south-facing side to act as a sun-trap for growing peach and fruit trees. This bow-shaped feature is a rare surviving example and is clearly shown on a number of old maps dating back to 1798.

"In addition to this, I have made my own representations and would urge others to do the same. Through my own research I have discovered that John Wedgwood, founder of the Royal Horticultural Society, lived there from at least 1829 to 1835 / 36.

"The famed RHS Lindley Library contains his hand-written diary detailing at length the flowers, fruit and vegetables, he planted there and how they fared. Previously it was thought that the notebook referred only to his garden at Kingscote in Gloucestershire."

Susan Campbell, an expert on walled gardens has appealed for the walled garden to be saved, "it is of considerable interest for garden historians," she said.

"Like many others, I feel very strongly that The Hill is too valuable a resource for Abergavenny to lose. And if enough people respond then that might help to keep it open.

"The Hill with its lovely setting provides a range of adult education and weekend residential courses bringing a lot of visitors to our town as well as being a centre for local residents. Its magnificent walled garden has been slowly and lovingly restored to its former glory.

Ms Morgan added, "To date, no plans have been announced about The Hill's possible future. According to rumours, there is a danger the site could be sold and bulldozed for housing; although, I understand, that even if the main building and garden walls are not listed, there is already a degree of protection as they are within a building conservation area. The Welsh Assembly Government has been pressurised to find extra money so that the Hill could be kept open by Coleg Gwent. But if this fails and if Coleg Gwent will not reconsider their decision to close it then we should urge them to do everything possible to ensure that The Hill and its beautiful garden continue. Many people, including the Mayor of Abergavenny Councillor Douglas Edwards, and Bryn Seabourne in The Chronicle's Postbag, have urged townspeople to write."

Ms Morgan claims there are two possible rescue bids, one a possible staff bid backed by the union members.

"I am urging people to support us and save The Hill. Please send letters to the Welsh Assembly Government at Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ; Cadw, Welsh Assembly Government, Plas Carew, Unit 5/7 Cefn Coed, Parc Nantgarw, Cardiff, CF15 7QQ."

A spokesman from Coleg Gwent confirmed they has been in discussion with two separate parties on the future of The Hill.

"Following an approach by AMiE, working jointly with Unison, the College has agreed to support the development of an alternative proposal by staff at The Hill to the closure of the Centre.

"In addition the College has had discussions with the Board of Trustees of Ty'r Morwydd (Mulberry House) which has operated as an independent educational charity for over 15 years.

"At this stage the College has not received any proposals for consideration from either party, but would do so as part of the current 90 day consultation period."

Coleg Gwent Principal Howard Burton said, "I am pleased we are having discussions on the future of The Hill.

"We will decide on a course of action that is in the best interests of Coleg Gwent and its learners, taking into account that we must always look to maximise the value from our assets so that they can be invested back into the college for the benefit of future learners throughout Gwent."