FOLLOWING a behind closed doors meeting concerning the future development of the ‘Youth Campus’ in Haslemere, Waverley Borough Council confirmed it is committed to allocating the site for housing.

The Youth Campus site it owns in Wey Hill, is home to Haslemere Scout groups, army cadets and St John Ambulance among others,

In its draft local plan, it is identified as a ‘strategic site’ for 31 houses within five years, with the proviso “any future development would need to ensure any commercial and community uses are protected”.

Pressure has been applied by WBC on the six community organisations using it to relocate elsewhere in town to make way for affordable housing.

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

Discussions on the future of the campus used by more than 400 people each week, have been ongoing since.

A Waverley spokesman said: “The council is still actively working with the relevant groups to find suitable premises to secure their long term future in Haslemere and it remains committed to allocating the site for housing.”