Gosport Scouts expand by buying land from council in £9,500 deal

Gosport Borough Council has agreed in principle to the sale of land next to the Scout hut in Acorn Close, Rowner, to the tune of £9,500.

Negotiations are under way with 6th Gosport Scouts to finalise the deal.

It comes after councillors met on Wednesday evening to discuss the matter, voting unanimously to pass the motion.

Previously, the council had leased the land to the Scouts at the value of one peppercorn – a legal metaphor for a small, insignificant payment.

At the meeting, councillors spoke highly of the work done by the Scouts in the town – but urged the borough solicitor to include failsafe terms in the negotiations.

Conservative ward councillor for Hardway, Cllr Diane Furlong, said: ‘The Scouts have had a bit of a rough time recently, and I feel anything we can do to support youth groups to keep them going in this town, we need to do.

‘They do a fantastic job and the youngsters involved show so much respect and learn lots of different things.

‘The experience stays with them for the rest of their lives – they have my complete support.’

Labour councillor for Town, Cllr June Cully, added: ‘This decision will allow the Scout group to apply for grants and so on – so I feel it’s the right thing to do.’

Lisa Young from the council's democratic services team is affiliated with the 6th Gosport Scouts, but was not at Wednesday’s meeting.

While the council has agreed to sell on the land in a 14-year deal, some raised concerns about the possibility of the Scouts either selling off the land, or the site dramatically rising in value.

Conservative councillor for Anglesey, Cllr Philip Raffaelli, said: ‘I’m sure the Scouts would never do this, but there’s nothing to stop a builder giving them £100,000 and making a huge profit in 14 years’ time.’

The councillors’ considerations will be taken into account as the council enters the negotiation stage.