Note:

Please do not donate via Change.Org the money is taken by them - if you wish to donate to our campaign please do so via our go fund me page at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-kings-pond - money raised there will help towards our campaign!

The issue:

There are many people who either live in Alton or have visited Kings Pond and love this wildlife rich space. Yet despite this, our beautiful pond and the animals which call it home  face an uncertain future. 

Alton Town Council have announced possible plans to take the pond offline from the River Wey which will see the space as we know it destroyed, with some suggesting the proposals will leave this beauty spot as nothing more than a muddy swamp. 

Whilst Alton Town Council ran what they considered to be a public consultation, there were concerns about this process and it’s integrity. Residents were angered at the unsubstantiated and misleading claims about the merits of the proposals and the dismissal of legitimate concerns. Many feel there was a failure by Alton Town Council to suitably advertise the consultation so as all voices could be heard.

Meanwhile there is suggestion that the proposals are not fit for purpose having been written by a fisheries specialist with insufficient qualifications and experience to consult on such a wildlife rich space. The numerous shortcomings in the report such as failing to address the source of the silt ingress into the pond, the lack of consideration for wildlife and its habit are among concerns for which no answers have been provided.

Evidence which refutes the councils alleged need to take the pond offline has also been dismissed leaving many people concerned that over quarter of a million pounds of public funds will be spent on what could become the most devastating council action against wildlife and the environment in a lifetime.

There are alternatives to taking the pond offline which have not been discussed or offered to the public as alternatives. 

Through this petition we call upon Alton Town Council to abandon their plans to take Kings Pond offline from the River Wey and instead work with residents and visitors of the site to find a solution which allows for the body of water to be retained in its current form whilst seeking to improve the quality of the water and the biodiversity which calls it home. 

Note: You are free to sign this petition even where you have signed other petitions or completed the consultation.