Scouts' disappointment over failed land bid

James King is the group leader of the 34th Reigate (Meadvale) Scouts group

A scout group has said it is disappointed after its unsuccessful bid to buy the land on which its hut is based.

The trustees of 34th Reigate (Meadvale) Scouts raised the money, after Meadvale Hall on Somerset Road, Redhill, which was built in the 19th century, was put up for sale in August.

The parochial church council (PCC) of St John's, Redhill, which owns the building, said it has a duty to make sure funds are used for the congregation and wider community, instead of the costs for maintaining the building and servicing a loan.

It added that the successful bidder, who has not been named, intended to let the scouts have an option to buy the hut.

The scout hut is located behind Meadvale Hall in Reigate.

James King, Group Scout Leader for 34th Reigate (Meadvale) Scouts, told BBC Radio Surrey there are around 90 children across different age groups, as well as volunteers, involved with the group.

"We've been here for over 100 years, one way or the other, and for our scout group it would be devastating not to be able to meet here," he said.

"We have had tremendous support from local people, a really popular petition and also we've had pledges and donations to support our bid."

Mr King added that scouting is " hyper-local".

"You go a 15-minute walk in one of three different directions and there's another scout group," he said.

"It's not easy for us to relocate somewhere that's very far away at all."

In a statement on the church's website, the PCC at St John's said it had "made a decision in line with our legal duties and the best interests of the parish to accept a bid which works best for all involved from an interested party whose stated intention is to allow the 34th Meadvale Scouts an option to purchase the Scout Hut when planning permission has been achieved."

The statement added that there is a belief that "this is the best outcome possible in all the circumstances especially taking into account the poor condition of Meadvale Hall".

The trustees of the scout group said: "We are naturally disappointed that our bid was unsuccessful.

"We are ready to learn more from the PCC about the successful bidder's plans, including the intention to allow the Scouts an option to buy the scout hut."