A project group is aiming to raise nearly £2million to buy a farm currently under council ownership and turn it into a community space.

Kings Langley Community Benefit Society (CBS) is looking to turn Balls Pond Farm, in Kings Langley, into a Biodynamic Farm with an education centre to be used as a teaching resource for the wider community. They also plan to build a shop, cafe and create a space for events.

Balls Pond Farm is situated off Chipperfield Road and is lying within Green Belt land. It is approximately 11 hectares and includes a Grade 2 listed farm house and outbuildings. The farm is being sold by Hertfordshire County Council for £1.75million and offers have already been made by developers who are interested in the site.

Kings Langley CBS has already managed to acquire around £1.5million through donations from local groups and the parish council, as well as a substantial loan of £1million from Triodos Bank.

Victoria Bale, from Kings Langley CBS, said they are looking to raise another £400,000.

She said: "We’re hoping that our efforts to raise the money will go viral and we will get more than that. It’s quite a wonderful vision."

The group are encouraging locals to buy shares in the land in order to raise the remaining funds. They are holding an event on Friday to launch their plan to sell off £100 shares to villagers and will ask people to pledge money.

Ms Bale said: "This gives the community the opportunity to pledge their interest in the project so that we can create a truly remarkable community farm. We want to provide food, a shop, a café and a community focus for events, arts and activities in Kings Langley."

Kings Langley Community Benefit Society (CBS) is a community venture created to benefit the people in Kings Langley and the surrounding area.

Mike Penning, Kings Langley’s MP, said: "This is a very interesting project and I look forward to seeing the plans develop. For Kings Langley CBS to secure the farm at a fair price would lead to lasting benefits for the entire community."

This project is being led by members of the local community. For more information, contact saveourballspondfarm@gmail.com