Hello all,
As many of you may already know - there is a parish poll on Wednesday 21st January 2026 regarding the future of Kings Pond. This is an important opportunity to express how you feel and a chance for members of the public to send a clear message to our councillors. There are 6 questions being asked. This petition update offers advice on how you may wish to vote if you want to make a difference, to save the pond and protect our wildlife.
Please don’t leave this to someone else… every vote counts and this is the biggest opportunity to date people have had to have their opinion heard! This is a chance to Save Kings Pond!!!
Polling is open between 4pm and 9pm. Polling stations and the wards assigned to each are:
Alton Community Centre, Amery Street - (Amery, Westbrooke and Wooteys wards)
St Mary’s RC Church Hall, 59 Normandy Street - (Ashdell, Eastbrooke, Holybourne wards)
All Saints Parish Hall, Queens Road - (Whitedown ward)
If you are unsure which ward you live in and thus which polling station to use, please use the map below:
https://www.alton.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-Ward-map-with-roads-web.pdf
For more information please visit:
https://www.easthants.gov.uk/elections/parish-poll-alton-town-council
Again - please vote! The wildlife that calls the pond home won’t get a say! They need you to speak on their behalf!
The Questions
Do you believe that Alton Town Council is listening to residents concerning King’s Pond?
Vote NO to tell Alton Town Council that you feel they have not listened to you!
Do you trust Alton Town Council to spend council taxpayers’ money wisely
Vote NO to challenge current plans which involve spending tens of thousands of pounds on drawing up plans for removing the pond from the river.
Should Alton residents be consulted on any further spending on King’s Pond?
Vote YES to prevent wasteful expenditure - with tens of thousands already spent unnecessarily and tens more in the pipeline - your tax payers money is being wasted! You should have a say on how it’s spent!
Do you want to remove Don Hammond from any further King’s Pond focus groups?
Vote YES for change! New project leadership gives Kings Pond a chance to survive and for you to be heard! This will assist better decision making going forward!
Do you want Alton Town Council to recommence Stage 1 so that the people can take an informed decision?
Vote NO - this process involves drawing up plans which could see the pond lost. Stopping stage 1 now will allow focus instead to be on saving the pond.
Should Alton Town Council stop investigating alternatives and instead proceed only with making plans and finding costs for the dredging of King’s Pond at its current size and adding improvements such as silt traps?
Vote YES to tell the council that you want the pond saved and for them to stop investigating alternatives!
FAQ
How does the vote work?
Much like an election, you attend a polling station and cast your vote. It is a secret ballot as per other elections. There is no proxy or postal voting.
Where do I vote?
There are 3 polling stations - see the information and map above!
When do I vote?
Polling stations open from 4pm - 9pm on Wednesday 21st January 2026.
Who is eligible to vote?
Electors within the parish of Alton - see map above.
Do I need ID or a polling card to vote?
No you do not, though it doesn’t hurt to have ID on you! Polling cards are not being issued.
What is the official position of Alton Town Council?
The council state that they are investigating two options, though to date, whilst much investigation has taken place with regarding to removing the pond from the river, little has been done to explore retaining the pond. At the last vote (December 2025) only 7/13 councillors backed this approach with the other 6 indicating a desire to retain the pond.
Why has Cllr Don Hammond been singled out in a question?
He has led the project without ever being elected to do so. Questions have been raised about an apparent bias against retaining Kings Pond, general competence and conduct towards others. Whilst subjective, many believe that a change is needed in how this project is led. This allows change and a fresh approach which is inclusive of all opinions.
ACAN and KPPS are making different recommendations, who should we believe?
KPPS whilst supporting one option only are independent of Alton Town Council and have made their recommendations in line with independent advice from ecologists and other experts. ACAN whilst established locally rely on much of their funding coming from the council by way of grants. As such some may believe they lack impartiality, especially with grants pending.
Councillors Hammond, O’Brien, Tansey and Treacher have put out a statement saying the poll is undemocratic, is this true?
No, their statement is misleading and at times dishonest. The parish poll is fully democratic and administered by East Hants District Council’s elections team. It is more democratic than a non-binding and unregulated public consultation as favoured by these councillors which may not even give the public a say on the pond’s future!
Are the results of this poll binding?
In theory no - but no process available is binding as resolutions can only be passed by way of a council vote. Councils are however obliged to consider the results and sending a clear message makes it much harder for them to dismiss views.