PRESS RELEASE: 9 October 2018
CAMPAIGN GROUP REQUESTS MEETING WITH WOKING BOROUGH COUNCIL AND MARSTON’S PLC TO RESOLVE DISPUTED WEST BYFLEET RECREATION GROUND
On 9th October we wrote a joint letter to Woking Borough Council and Marston’s plc requesting a meeting with their representatives and legal advisers about the future of the West Byfleet Recreation Ground to prevent further waste of public money and shareholder value.
The West Byfleet Stakeholder Group has been attempting to engage with Woking Borough Council and Marston’s since it was discovered that WBC Executive had agreed on 2 February 2017 to sell part of the Recreation Ground to Marstons’ plc once Marston’s plc have obtained planning permission for a pub restaurant.
We believe this to be unlawful because:
- The decision to sell the land was not taken in accordance with Charities Law
- The sale of any part of West Byfleet Recreation Ground cannot be in the best interests of the Recreation Ground Charity as the use to which the land would be put by the proposed buyer is not consistent with the purpose of the charity, and
- Woking Borough Council and its Executive have failed to address the conflict of interest in it being the trustee of the Recreation Ground Charity and the planning authority which will ultimately make the planning decision about allowing a pub on the Recreation Ground.
On 16 and 18 July 2018 the stakeholders wrote to WBC about our concerns regarding WBC’s conduct and management of the Recreation Ground Charity (charity number 304985). We have yet to receive a comprehensive reply to those letters.
On 2nd August we submitted a complaint to the Charity Commission on behalf of the stakeholders of West Byfleet Recreation Ground about the failure of Woking Borough Council to properly fulfil its legal duties as sole trustee of the Recreation Ground Charity. We understand our complaint has been through the initial assessment process and is awaiting allocation to a
case officer.
Background
The West Byfleet Stakeholder Group includes the local Residents’ Association, Neighbourhood Forum, local schools, church, bowls club and scout and guide groups as well as many individuals who have joined the ‘Save West Byfleet Recreation Ground’ Facebook group.
Recreation Ground Charity was established in 1913 after a piece of land (now known as West Byfleet Recreation Ground) was gifted to the charity to be used “as and for a Recreation Ground for the inhabitants of the Parish of Byfleet”. The Recreation Ground Charity (charity number 304985) still exists today. The trustee, following several local government reorganisations over the last century, is now Woking Borough Council.
The Residents’ Association has submitted a joint letter, together with the West Byfleet Neighbourhood Forum to both Woking Borough Council and Marston’s plc. The letter can be viewed here.
For more information contact savewestbyfleetrec@gmail.com
Sue Hoskins says
I do feel that if this permission is granted then what is next on the agenda. Will the remainder of the open space be taken over by another profit making organization.
Christine Cowley says
I am frankly disgusted that a recreational piece of ground that is and was given as a gift to the residents of Byfleet can be consider for sale for profit. Furthermore, there are enough public houses that are going out of business, their trade will diminish. The same applies to existing local restaurants whose trade will also suffer through the greed of yet another “corporation” that looks to profit from local people.
I register my strong objection to this sale of public usage land.
DAVID U THOMPSON says
Well done! the Council Planners are obviously being belligerent probably having realised they have acted irregularly under Charity Commission requirements. Essentially the Charity is for the provision of recreational facilities – specifically recreation GROUND facilities and it is difficult to see how WBC interpret the consumption of Alcohol as a responsible provision of facilities for all the family on a recreation ground. If Barclays Bank do vacate their branch in West Byfleet why don’t Marstons relocate there? – Wetherspoons have successfully adapted redundant Bank buildings!
Tony Monaghan says
Is it true Marstons are prepared to give WBC £1.5 million if approval is granted?
When did these discussions take place? To what purpose would this alleged payment be put?
Cliff Bolton says
The recreation ground is for the benefit of local communities and not for council profit.
Woking Councils behaviour is just not acceptable in ignoring community wishes, they are in effect selling land that is not theirs to sell, the land was donated to local people to use as a leisure facility for all.
Is a third public house required in West Byfleet, I think not.
Valerie Roberts says
I do not think a recreation ground is the right place to build a public house. It is for the community to enjoy
and for the children to have their swings etc. There is a public house in West Byfleet in a suitable place – you need good parking facilities with easy entrance and exits , Parvis Road takes enough traffic now ,never mind , when Broadoaks is completed -and Camphill Road has residential and school traffic .
I am against any suggestion of a public house on that precious space.
IAN WHITE says
Just to say very well done and thanks for all your hard work on this project.
You seem to have found WBC out on yet another dodgy deal and hopefully, as a result of your actions on behalf of the local community, this ridiculous plan will be well and truly quashed.
David Moxey says
I am strongly opposed to any plans to commercialise the public area, which is a vital part of the community and an open space necessity in view of all the “developments” now happening.
Kelvin says
I suggest you start gathering all legal material and begin preparation for litigation. Does the RA have have legal council?
There is a clear conflict of interest, WBC should not be engaged in any commercial dealing with land in which they are also the charity representative
I contacted WBC independently regrading this matter and received an unsatisfactory reply worthy of a snake oil salesman. My trust in WBC is zero
Louise Jelly says
The decision should solely be with the Charities Law. Woking Borough Council should not have authority on this matter and have failed the Recreation Ground charity .
Jan Hayday says
Absolutely agree with previous comments that:
The recreation ground is for the benefit of local communities and not for council profit.
Woking Council is selling land that is not theirs to sell – it was donated to local people to use as a leisure facility for all.
I am opposed to any plans to commercialise this public space.
Sheila Carroll says
WBC’s failure to respond just underlines how out of touch they are with local people
Transparency and openness should be the fundamental principles behind everything local councils do. It seems that Woking Council forgets it is accountable to the local community for the way it behaves in carrying out its responsibilities.
I agree with previous comments and do not support any proposal to sell/ lease any part of the Recreation Ground and certainly do not want a pub or car park built on land that is supposed to be held in trust for local people to enjoy as open space.