Alton's Kings Pond bungalow site has left councillors divided over how best to progress any redevelopment plans. While last month's public consultation sent out a clear message that the public did not want to see the number of dwellings increased on the site and that they would prefer the pond environment to stay as it was, the deteriorating state of the rustic bungalows dictates that "to do nothing is not an option". Speaking at Alton Town Council's policy and resources meeting, local representative David Crocker said that the public had clearly rejected the self-financing option which would see the two existing bungalows replaced by six units, two for Alton Town Council staff and the rest to be sold on the open market. There had been grave concern expressed over additional traffic accessing the site around the eastern edge of the pond, and about the need to construct a footpath to keep pedestrians out of the roadway. Nonetheless, there was support for a town council presence at the pond and most people had come down in favour of a straight two for two replacement which, it is estimated, would cost in the region of £250k. This, however, would have to be financed by the council, and thereby hangs the rub. It was suggested at the consultation meeting that money from the sale of the 23 Ashdell Road site should finance such a project. But, while committee chairman David Willoughby pointed out that £180k of that money had already been earmarked for work at the Assembly Rooms and at the Finnimore Pavilion, and that while there could be money left over, this, too, may be needed for other projects. While it seemed the consultation exercise had put across the need to take fairly swift action, the public were also firmly against flattening the site and leaving it as open space, as it would be likely to act as a magnet for anti- social behaviour. In fact the consultation appeared to have led to a number of councillors experiencing a "change of heart". Having originally supported the self-financing six-unit development, several members had taken on board public concern and were now firmly opposed to the suggestion, preferring the straight replacement option. Pam Jones suggested that if one new property was used for staff accommodation, the other could be rented out to help recoup some of the redevelopment costs. By way of contrast others, like Bob Evans and Robert Saunders, were still convinced that the council should be pushing for the self- financing option. In the event it was agreed to put forward two recommendations: the first that it be resolved that the site should not return to a greenfield site, and secondly, after a casting vote by the chairman, that the council make a decision one way or the other on the self-financing six-unit option. These two recommendations will now be voted on when Alton Town Council meets in full on Wednesday, November 30. It is expected to be a close call but, if councillors decide to vote against the six-unit option they will then have to decide how to finance a straight replacement.