A town councillor is aiming for “a reset” in relations with the public over Kings Pond in Alton.

People objecting to Alton Town Council’s plans to separate the pond from the River Wey believe new councillors and a new clerk have not altered the authority’s approach.

Speaking at the full council meeting on November 6, campaigner Anthony Furnival said: “Since this council was formed 18 months ago it has been ignoring public opinion and pandering to the wishes of the previous council and clerk.

“In January 2023 around 150 people attending a meeting were ignored. Against public feeling the council agreed to proceed with explorative work. The council didn’t acknowledge a large petition. It creates a perception of predisposition.

“If you just listened, engaged and responded to local people, Alton would be a better town.”

Cllr Don Hammond said: “Mr Furnival was asking for a bit of a reset and I was rather hoping that a reset was being attempted.

“We’re arranging three public briefings and discussions in the next few weeks, and in the spirit of this I would like to think we would get a bit of a reset the other way.”

Cllr Hammond responded to Mr Furnival’s fear that the council had “a willingness to destroy the pond for the pot of gold of environmental credits”.

He said: “Biodiversity net gain will help pay for the work rather than be a money-making exercise. It’s a saleable commodity and will go into the work. There is no profit to be made from Kings Pond.”