Millwall have warned their long-term future is under threat from the potential sale of land around the Den to a property development company.

The League One club have voiced concerns to Lewisham council, which is attempting to sell to the property developer Renewal pockets of land around the stadium currently leased to the club. John Berylson, the Millwall chairman, has written to members of the Labour-led council and urged them not to seek compulsory-purchase orders at a meeting on Wednesday, describing the situation as “a challenge which threatens the club’s very survival”.

If the purchase orders go through the land which contains the club’s car park, cafe and Lions Centre – a leisure centre with strong links to the community – would become privately owned. In 2013 the club submitted plans to buy and regenerate the land but Lewisham council preferred Renewal’s proposal, and Millwall now fear for their future.

Millwall want to acquire the freehold and develop a hotel, 400 homes, accommodation for local businesses and a new home for the Millwall Community Trust on the site. The club believes it has a right to play an active role in the regeneration of the area, with any revenue generated from a hotel and other development contracts potentially reducing its financial losses in the future.

An online petition against the sale has been signed by more than 12,000 people and includes messages of support from fans of West Ham, Arsenal and Charlton Athletic. A number of players have also voiced their concern, including the former midfielder Tim Cahill.

The Millwall chief executive, Andy Ambler, said: “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make sure what is built on our doorstep actually works for the club. If they’re going to develop a hotel on the site it should be done in conjunction with the club, like you see at Reading and other grounds. It’s a case of getting our fair share.

“Lewisham council used to be on Millwall’s shirts back in the day. Maybe they haven’t considered their responsibilities here because this is a big development and the land we’re talking about is a fraction of the whole scheme. I don’t understand why they don’t let us develop the scheme. We could all benefit from this and leave the other bits of land to the property company.

“The Den is secure, moving Millwall would be vastly expensive in London. But if this goes against us on Wednesday, it makes it more difficult to thrive and become self-sufficient. We haven’t got enough income generation outside the actual football that will help us when we do need injections of cash.”

There is particular disappointment at Lewisham council’s decision to push through a deal for Renewal. Millwall argue they have always had strong links to the community and they supported the campaign to save Lewisham hospital from government cuts in 2013, when the players wore T-shirts before a match. Lewisham council was unavailable for comment when contacted by the Guardian.

Renewal is involved in the redevelopment of New Bermondsey, a project which it says will create 2,000 jobs, 2,400 homes and a new overground station. Renewal believes the regeneration of the area, previously known as Surrey Canal, will be of great benefit to the club and that Millwall’s proposals for the land are not comparable to its own.

Renewal also claims it has “no intention of selling this land” to another party if a compulsory-purchase order is obtained. The director, Mark Taylor said: “The compulsory-purchase order process, which is governed by a strict legal framework, is an important step forward in the delivery of the New Bermondsey scheme. The process is a necessary step in order to deliver 2,400 new homes for Lewisham – within the New Bermondsey housing zone – as well as a range of other benefits including a new overground station and community facilities for this part of inner London.”

There are many comments on the petition against the sale. The West Ham fan Nick Drury wrote: “I am signing this petition because football belongs to the supporters and should not be taken from us to line others’ pockets.” Marlon Seton added: “As a supporter of Charlton Athletic, I take great delight in Millwall’s on-field reverses but as a club they are an integral part of the south-east London landscape and don’t deserve to be effectively crippled by this ill-thought-out scheme.”