A HASLEMERE Waverley borough councillor has called for the Conservatives to come clean over the saga of the blue-clad pavilion in Weycombe Road.

The pavilion, which was built fronting two houses as part of the Kilnfields regeneration scheme, has left two families whose homes have been blighted by the building, reeling with frustration and anger.

The call came after the Lib Dem-ruled Waverley Borough Council turned down a recommendation to buy the two Bartholomew Close properties.

John Robini was responding to a letter from the owner of one of the houses, Michael Spilberg,which was published in The Herald last week, accusing the council of "totally failing to consult" and misleading people over the plans for the building.

In a statement from the Waverley Borough Council Liberal Democrat group, Mr Robini this week has in turn blamed the Tories for the mess and "for making public decisions that they may have taken before they lost control of the council.

"All of the decisions relating to the number of new houses built at Kilnfields and the siting of the pavilion were taken under the Conservative administration running the council before May."

And he said that "the public have a right to know" if any promises were made to buy the houses or "verbal commitments given".

Naming former Conservative Waverley councillors Dr Genny Lane, the ex-Tory council leader David Harmer, and Ann Mugford, chairman of the southern area planning committee, which granted permission for the plans, Mr Robini said: "There may be others who need to explain what, if any, instructions or indications they gave to officers and residents.

"I am calling on them to provide all of the facts relating to their involvement and to allow us to know whether anybody has acted outside their powers.

"Let's hope it is not the case."

Mr Robini said the decision not to buy the homes, valued at around £250,000 each, was "a tough choice but based squarely on the proper use of public money.

"Although the decision was difficult I believe that most reasonable people would judge that we had a responsibility to use our limited funds for affordable and social housing sensibly.

"The expenditure," he continued, "would deny many people the chance of an affordable home elsewhere in the town or borough."

James Mackie, Conservative Waverley councillor for the area, said he "welcomed an inquiry.

"I don't think the Conservatives ever denied the consulation lapsed but here was a solution, and I don't think there was any promise other than to negotiate. I wasn't consulted and it seems a shame to make political points."

Dr Genny Lane said she was "deeply saddened that the Lib Dems had chosen to turn the issue of the pavilion into a political one.

"This is playing with people's lives, happiness and well-being. There is no place for this.

"Council housing policy is to run the housing stock for the benefit of all residents of Waverley with understanding and compassion and regardless of politics We have a moral obligation towards the two families in this case and we must not let them down," said Dr Lane.

Last week, Haslemere Town Council decided to write to Waverley asking it to change the colour of the deep-blue cladding of the building.

"Unfortunately, this wonderful scheme has been completely overshadowed by situation," Fay Fostser, the chairman of the amenities sub committee told The Herald.

"Personally speaking I feel Waverley has a moral obligation if not a legal one to buy the properties concerned."

• Residents of the area are this week being asked to decide on a name for the new pavilion, after leaflets were sent out by Waverley.

Choices are High Lane, or Kilnfields, but with space for other suggestions.

It is described as "a magnificent new community hall and pavilion" which will be open in the new year. People are asked to send their suggestions to the environment and leisure department, Waverley Borough Council, The Bury,s Godalming, Surrey GU7 1HR by Friday, November 14.