AT LEAST 4,000 public buildings and spaces including parks, libraries, swimming pools and town halls are sold off every year by councils, a charity revealed yesterday.

Many of them have been flogged to private developers for the highest price to make up the shortfall in funds from central government, according to Locality.

At least 7,000 more spaces could be under threat over the next five years, the local communities charity warned.

It is now urging the government to set up a £200 million-a-year community ownership fund for the next five years, and to give communities first bids with local authorities to offer low cost or zero-interest loans.

Its report The Great British Sell Off states that most of the assets have been sold in the East of England — an average of 756 per year.

Yorkshire and the Humber will see the most sales over the next five years — an average of 1,602.

Locality chief executive Tony Armstrong said: “This is a sell-off on a massive scale. We know that many of the buildings being lost have valuable community uses.

“Every one of us can think of a local public building or outside space we love and use — from libraries to lidos and town halls to youth centres.

“They are owned by the public and they’re being sold off for short-term gain to fill holes in council budgets.”

Locality sent Freedom of Information requests to all 353 local authorities in England and received 240 responses.

The charity calculated an annual figure of 4,131 sell-offs, with 7,280 more publicly owned buildings and spaces at risk.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said councils were responsible for the £90.7 billion they have to spend on local services over the next two years.