Four hours of debate on Kings Pond ended with Alton Town Council noting the results of last month’s parish poll on the subject when it met on February 4.

A total of 11 written representations were received before the meeting, all of them backing the council’s stance that it should continue to investigate both options for the future of the pond - dredging and making improvements, or separating the pond from the River Wey. These were noted by the council.

They were followed by 21 statements read out at the meeting by members of the public. Of the 20 who expressed an opinion, 14 wished to continue to investigate both options while six preferred only to retain and dredge the pond.

Anthony Furnival, one of those seeking to keep the pond as it is, said of the results of the January 21 poll: “Whatever way you frame it, dredging the pond seems the popular response. A lot of people are not overly happy with how things are. These 1,029 people who voted shouldn’t be forgotten, they should be heard.”

Christopher Newton, who was in favour of making an “informed decision”, said: “I went to the parish meeting on December 15 and there was a lot of talk about why dredging was the only good option and why the pond and river was so terrible. That’s why it’s so important to continue with the investigations. We should be weighing up the pros and cons, seeing what is best and allowing Alton to vote on that.”

The council also approved the revised terms of reference of the Kings Pond task and finish group, confirmed councillor and non-councillor appointments, and confirmed Cllr Don Hammond as chairman.

Cllr Matthew Kellermann lost an amendment to add himself to the group by six votes to four. Cllr Hammond called him a “disruptive influence”.