Calls to hold a referendum to decide the future of a beauty spot in Alton have been rejected with concerns being aired about the “phenomenal amount” of public money being spent on the project.

Frustrations over Kings Pond were vented again last week with town councillors voting down two bids to pause a project that could change the area forever.

It’s been well reported that Alton Town Council has two proposals for the future of the much-loved site. Simplified, it’s either dredge the pond or release the sluice and let nature take its course, with a flowing chalk stream and smaller side pond expected to form.

Councillors were asked at their extraordinary meeting last Wednesday (August 6) if they would be happy for a panel to review presentations from would-be contractors.

That vote was eventually approved but the meeting was often tempestuous with residents voicing disapproval from the start and two councillors calling for a rethink to loud applause from the Assembly Rooms audience.

Two Waterside Court residents were among the early speakers with both accusing ATC of not addressing potential flooding issues in their work so far.

“One of the reasons I chose to live there is because it’s next to and overlooks a beautiful expanse of water,” said Maggie Thirlwell.

“I would like to keep it as it is, but address the silt issues,” said Jill Jenkins, adding: “There shouldn’t be a thought of reducing the pond as it will remove the swans.”

Around 200 people attended the meeting with plans for 160 homes in Holybourne being top of the agenda. But around a third of that crowd stayed behind for the Kings Pond update, with Cllr Matthew Kellerman making his feelings felt early in the debate.

“I firmly believe there shouldn’t be any more spending until the public decides by way of a referendum,” said the councillor in “reading the room”.

“I haven’t had any concrete quotes but £2.5 or £3million is what I’ve heard. That’s a considerable sum of money and we know that any public work never comes in on budget.

“It’s a phenomenal sum of money.

“Profligate expenditure of public funds on a trial? It would be common sense to put it out to a public referendum to to the people of Alton.”

Cllr Don Hammond denied the sums being spent on the project and accused Mr Kellerman of “scaremongering” before saying flood risk assessments would be part of the presentations being made to ATC. His speech was interrupted by a cry of “this is a waste of money” from the audience, though.

The councillor also asked how an assessment could be carried out if ATC halted all funding on the Kings Pond scheme, with separate amendments for a referendum and deferral on spending by councillors Kellerman and Richard Moore, respectively, both being voted down 7-2.

Both councillors were the only two to vote approval in both instances, with a vote to extend the length of the meeting being the only thing ATC unanimously agreed to.