HASLEMERE Town Council has taken up the cudgels on behalf of six community organisations based at the Youth Campus in Wey Hill, which have complained of being “left in limbo” by Waverley Borough Council over the last five years.

Fears for the future of 1st Haslemere Scouts and District Guides, the Air Training Corps and Army Cadet Force, St John Ambulance and Wey Hill Montessori School, have grown since the council failed to renew long-term leases in 2012.

Relocations for some if not all, looked increasingly likely last year, when Waverley identified a large part of the site for its strategic housing land availability policy as being suitable for up to 42 new homes.

But five years on, the situation remains unclear. Discussions concerning the site, which is used by more than 400 people every week continue, but with no resolution in sight – and the organisations affected say they have been left unable to plan for the future.

At last week’s meeting, Haslemere mayor Malcolm Carter said the town council had been approached by the youth groups affected ‘voicing their dissatisfaction with the process.’

He said he had asked Waverley’s interim managing director Tom Horwood for clarification at a meeting at the town hall on October 30.

Mr Carter told the meeting Mr Horwood had acknowledged the process had ‘inconsistencies’ and that ‘communication had been wanting’.

He had promised to come back to the town council to clarify the situation, but no ‘concrete’ information had been received.

Town councillor Nikki Barton said: “I’m worried about the plight of the Montessori School. I’m really concerned about the time this has taken. From my experience as Haslemere’s county councillor, Waverley has failed to provide information repeatedly.

“It’s really unacceptable the groups still don’t know where they are going.

‘They have been given some relocation options that are not suitable. It’s really important groups that support the community are not fobbed off by Waverley in search of housing.”

Mr Carter responded: “Mr Horwood noted communication had been wanting. We have registered our concern as hard as we can.”

Richard Hampson who was elected the town’s county councillor in May, told the meeting the fate of the groups was one of his main concerns and he had been assured by Waverley that discussions were ongoing.

“I echo concerns about the importance of these services,” he said. “They are critical to the town.

“I have been assured no one will be moved without a suitable or better location to go to, but there is no timetable at the moment.”

Councillor Libby Piper, who sits on both the town and borough councils, also said she had received an assurance there would be no forced relocations if the options were unsuitable.

Agreeing, former mayor Jim Edwards, who is also a member of both councils, said: “No one will be forced to move and the council is fully supportive of the youth campus.

“Waverley has to build affordable homes but it can’t because it hasn’t got the land. Hopefully, it can build better facilities for the youth groups.”

A St John Ambulance spokesman told The Herald: “Negotiations to find suitable alternative premises for the Haslemere adult unit are ongoing, and we welcome any discussion between parties to progress this further.

“We’d like anyone who may know of a suitable venue for our volunteers to meet, to get in touch.”

Haslemere Air Cadets, which has been based on the youth campus since 1941, may be asked to relocate to Woolmer Hill School.

Flight Lieutenant Kevin Burchett, commanding officer of 1268 Haslemere ATC, said he believed the move to Woolmer Hill School would be ‘a very positive’ outcome.

He said: “Waverley did suggest the Wey Centre at one point. But there is no parking there and it’s a really old building. We are in limbo and that’s the worst position to be in, because you can’t plan ahead.

“I have money in the account I would like to use but I can’t, because I don’t know what I will need if we move to a new building. At the moment, we are treading water and can’t progress.”

Responding to a request for clarification, following his meeting with Mr Carter Mr Horwood said: “I was delighted to be invited to meet with Haslemere town councillors and listen to their priorities and concerns.

“I am always pleased to meet with local councils, groups and community media to explore how we can improve the area.

“It was a very positive first meeting. I am following through with colleagues on a few points that we discussed and will speak with Haslemere Town Council very soon to continue the conversation.”

• If you can help St John to find new premises email [email protected].