FRESH plans to change the use of the cricket pavilion at Haslemere War Memorial Recreation Ground into a pre-school nursery, have sparked further protests.

Both Haslemere Town Council and Haslemere Society objected to an application last spring that Waverley Borough Council, which is landlord and custodian of the site, should agree the change under a general permitted development order (GPDO).

Objectors protested the plan would be in direct contravention of the recreation ground’s 2015 deed of dedication.

The Haslemere Society said insufficient information had been provided for the plan to be agreed under a GPDO and it was subsequently withdrawn.

The latest application was submitted just before Christmas by Haslemere Recreation, and has triggered eight objections.

The change of use sought is for a mixed use with a day care centre for up to 35 children, which will be open during term times, from 8am until 4.30pm on Mondays to Fridays.

The scheme also proposes removing a boundary hedge with Old Haslemere Road and some trees next to the pavilion.

Neighbours have objected “a clear conflict of interest exists”, because it will help Waverley solve the problem of where to relocate the nursery at the Wey Hill Youth Campus, near Haslemere station.

Waverley owns the Wey Hill site, which is also home to St John Ambulance, Haslemere Air Cadets and town Scout groups, but it is allocated for more than 30 new homes in the draft local plan and the organisations will have to relocate.

One Old Haslemere Road resident objected: “The council needs to demonstrate as custodian of Haslemere War Memorial Recreation Ground that it has balanced the needs of the community and the neighbourhood, and to comply with the deed of dedication.

“The deed of dedication requires the whole recreation ground including the ancillary buildings be retained for community events, playing fields and car park.

“This cannot include a commercial set up such as a day care centre or children’s nursery or indeed any other such paying service.

“In seeking to find a solution to the reduced use of the pavilion, Waverley Borough Council should not be seeking to solve its desire to relocate the nursery from Wey Hill to Old Haslemere Road.”