The process which has led to recommending the sale of a council-owned activities centre has been labelled “fundamentally flawed”.

A member of a Southampton conservation group hit out at how the city council had worked through the proposals for Woodmill Outdoor Activities Centre in Swaythling.

Cabinet members are expected to approve selling the Stoneham side of the site to Southern Water, which would in turn transfer the leisure area to Southampton City Scouts by freehold.

The Mill building would be retained by the council, with current tenant Above Board (Solent) Ltd taking on a new lease.

Ahead of the cabinet decision on Tuesday, July 15, the plan was examined at an overview and scrutiny committee meeting on Thursday, July 10.

The committee was told Southern Water is planning to invest a significant amount of money into the natural environment, which includes a section of the River Itchen with Sites of Special Scientific Interest designation.

However, frustrations were voiced over a lack of information on the utility company’s proposals.

The Scouts had provided a detailed document on their vision for Woodmill but this was confidential and could only be viewed by committee members.

Gavin Miller from Friends of Itchen Estuary said: “It’s clear that the process leading to a recommendation Woodmill is sold is fundamentally flawed.

“It hasn’t paid sufficient attention to nature restoration, environment, biodiversity and it has been a secretive process, which is undemocratic and doesn’t tap into the valuable experience and expertise in Southampton.”

Officers said the environment was part of the criteria considered when assessing bids and the sale of the site would include legal agreements, such as covenants, to provide protections.

Concerns were also raised about Southern Water’s record, a lack of engagement with those who live near Woodmill and why a long-term lease was not explored in favour of a freehold disposal.

In response to a suggestion the council was selling off the family silver, director of customer, leisure and regulatory services James Marshall said: “We see this as the city’s silver, not necessarily the council’s silver and we are all out of silver polish unfortunately, so we are not in the position to look after it.

“We are trying to get the right outcome for the environment there.”

Cabinet member for finance and corporate services Cllr Simon Letts said the plan from the Scouts was backed by a “plethora of environmental organisations”.

He added: “I do not want to delay this any longer.

“There is an element of trust here that we have got all the information and therefore we are making a decision based on all of that information.”

Members of the overview and scrutiny committee narrowly voted against recommending cabinet delay its decision to carry out a public consultation.