THE future of Tice’s Meadow in Badshot Lea remains uncertain following Hanson UK’s rejection of Waverley Borough Council’s offer to buy it.

The site was put up for sale by competitive tender in the summer, prompting Waverley to work closely with Farnham Town Council, Surrey County Council and local community groups to formulate a bid that could secure the site for the community.

Hanson UK had acknowledged locals’ appeals to sell it to a suitable buyer who would continue to offer unrestricted public access, but Hanson have not announced who the successful bidder is.

A sale was expected to be completed before Hanson’s financial year end on December 31, 2019.

Mark Merryweather, Waverley’s portfolio holder for finance, assets and commercial services, said: "We’re extremely disappointed. Local residents and user groups have expressed concerns to me, that a purely commercial sale of the land could put its future as an award-winning community nature reserve at risk.

“A change.org petition started by the Tice’s Meadow Bird Group called for Hanson to ‘take into account the new owner’s suitability when deciding on a preferred bidder’ has reached over 5,000 signatures.

“We worked hard to meet the requirements of Hanson’s sale process and their timeframe. We believe that our bid met all of their financial and commercial criteria while still protecting public money. We’ve asked Hanson to keep us informed and our door is always open for meaningful discussion.

Waverley Borough Council deputy leader, Councillor Paul Follows, added: "Since Hanson ceased quarrying in 2010 they have increasingly relied on unpaid local volunteers to discharge their restoration and aftercare obligations set out in a Section 106 Agreement and the 20-year management plan.

“The council and the local community are very concerned that the nature reserve could potentially either be exploited or neglected by a new commercial owner.

"We are united with the Farnham Town and Surrey County Councils in wanting to prevent that from happening."

The Herald has approached Hanson UK for a comment. More reaction to follow in next week’s Herald.