A ROW has erupted over "grossly misleading" comments published by the developers of a luxury hotel and golf course.
Longshot, which won a bitter planning battle over the Cherkley Court estate, printed its second edition of The Cherkley Express on Friday.
The paper, delivered to homes near the estate, features articles claiming those who opposed the project were "obsessed" and trying to "undermine a democratic process".
Longshot director Joel Cadbury is quoted saying people who complained about the conduct of a councillor during the process were "motivated purely by malice and self-interest".
Givons Grove resident Martin Newey, one of those who complained, said: "I find it most regrettable that Longshot are able to put into the public domain comments of this nature which are incorrect and grossly misleading.
"If Longshot had seen a copy of the report into the complaint they would know Mr Lingard [the independent expert] made it quite clear that he didn't question the complainants' integrity or truthfulness.
"If they haven't, I regard their comments as reckless."
But Nick Kilby, of Cratus Communications, who handles PR for Longshot, was unapologetic.
"Joel Cadbury has expressed a personal view and that is how he feels," he said.
"We may be very direct about how we feel but people have been extraordinarily rude and direct about how they feel and in my personal case accusations have been made."
The Cherkley Express includes a letter from Mr Kilby claiming Kristina Kenworthy, founder of the Cherkley Campaign that opposes the development, is on a "mission to retain her private views".
Speaking about Longshot, he added: "I have never worked for a client that puts so much into ensuring that, even when they didn't like it, views were heard.
"People may think it was bad timing [publishing The Cherkley Express] but we think it is appropriate timing because of the moves by this group to bring a judicial review forward, which we believe is completely inappropriate behaviour."
Mr Kilby was also keen to point out the positive aspects highlighted in the publication, including golfer Tom Watson agreeing to co-design the course and Leatherhead builders Wates being appointed to redevelop Cherkley Court.
