The future of Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre (HOAC) could be moved for HS2, as they suggest a relocation to a site in a neighbouring borough - Buckinghamshire.
In response to Select Committee petitions, HS2 say there is a “clear way forward” for the centre, after meetings with Denham Quarry operator, Summerleaze, and the planning authorities.
HS2 Ltd said: “Subject to planning approval being granted, it should be possible to relocate HOAC, currently in Harefield, to the Denham Quarry site with a 25 acre lake by 2018.”
The company responsible for developing the new high speed rail network have appointed a 'dedicated team' to deliver the relocation, which has a possibility of increasing the lake up to 45 acres by 2020.
Leader of Hillingdon Council, Cllr Ray Puddifoot outlined his concerns to the Select Committee Chair, saying the council hadn't been involved in HOAC talks since June.
He said: “Whilst we are encouraged that there may be the possibility of a 45 acre lake at Denham by 2020, this may be again raising false hopes.
“We are concerned that no planning applications have yet been submitted and the compensation costs payable to Summerleaze for the loss of landfill income may also prevent the scheme from going ahead.”
Principal of HOAC, Jeff Creak, will continue to fight the project, even though “the government seems to be determined to push it through despite all the evidence.”
He said: “I’m hugely disappointed we haven’t been listened to, we had a very good case along with the borough of Hillingdon. The route, the whole concept was fatally flawed.
“The other side of the coin is that when you’re looking into the abyss, something's better than nothing, and you have to make the best of what might be on offer.”
HOAC say they're in the very first stages of planning but have to work very quickly as “HS2 want the site” and will continue to operate.
Mr Creak said: “The logistics are all in discussion but we’re certainly operating HOAC in full next year, and probably a full season the year after and then we’ll be moving to Denham.
“By that time HS2 will have built things there, and dug a 25 acre lake and we’ll move there in 2018.
“We’ll still be here and operating as normal next year. We’re taking bookings as normal now and unless anything untoward happens we’re looking at doing the same the year after.
“At the end of that year, there’ll be a new site in Denham so we’d be taking bookings for the Denham site.”
HS2 Ltd say the centre have financial concerns about the transition to the bigger lake and worries Hillingdon Council may withdraw their £55,000 a year funding.
Mr Creak added: “I have no expectation of getting funding from Bucks Council at this stage but it’s their land we’d be based on so we're talking about planning permissions and trying to make it work. They’re being very co-operative as are Hillingdon.”
“[Funding] has always been on an as and when basis and we’re hoping that Hillingdon will continue to choose to support us and we’ll be servicing Hillingdon people as much as before.
But Mr Creak will still take every opportunity to oppose HS2 altogether, adding: “They’re not often, but when the Hybrid Bill comes for a second reading, we’ll be at the front there, banging on the door, saying: 'This is stupid, please don’t do it!'
