BOTH Haslemere Town Council and Haslemere Society have objected to plans to change the use of the cricket pavilion at the War Memorial Recreation Ground into a pre-school nursery.

If approved under a general permitted development order (GPDO), the building would become a registered nursery for 30 children Monday to Friday during term times from 9am until 4pm.

A supporting statement said: “The building is currently used by the cricket and football clubs for weekend and occasional weekday matches and club social gatherings.”

Haslemere Mayor Sahran Abeysundara objected at the council’s planning committee: “I don’t think we should have been fighting for public spaces for the use of everyone for them to be used by a select few.”

Councillor Libby Piper said she had “no problem with the concept of sharing” as the sports groups could use it in the evenings and weekends and at the moment it stood empty much of the time.

She was concerned, however, that the groundkeeper’s cottage had already been changed into a private dwelling and to change the use of the pavilion as well could set a dangerous precedent.

Councillor William King was worried about the increase in parking as well as the change of use.

“The ground has special status,” he said. “It was given to the people of Haslemere for recreation and sport.”

The town council recommended Waverley Borough Council should refuse the plan, as has Haslemere Society, which objected applying for a GPDO was “inappropriate”.

Society chairman John Greer responded that a GPDO required more information on the nursery use than had been supplied in order to decide if it would have a harmful impact on neighbouring properties and that consent could only be granted if there were no restrictive conditions.

Echoing the town council’s concerns about the recreation ground’s special status, Mr Greer said: “The deed of dedication requires the area to be retained for public community events.

“Clearly this precludes the setting up of a commercial enterprise, such as a fee-charging nursery.

“Waverley Borough Council, being the landlord and custodian of this public recreational facility, as well as the local planning authority, may be conflicted in considering this application.

“When considering the future use of the pavilion, it would be appropriate for Waverley to give serious consideration to accommodating Scouts, Guides and other similar important community activities that are likely to prove a better fit.”