AFFORDABLE housing will now be included in a Haslemere development originally approved by Waverley planners in 2018.

The borough council approved the scheme for 138 apartments with no affordable housing included in the proposal for the vacant site between Majestic Wine and the railway bridge in Wey Hill.

At the time, previous owner Brettenwood Investment Holding told planners four financial companies had assessed the site and reported back that affordable housing was not viable.

Committee members agreed in 2018 it was high time the prominent site, which has now stood empty surrounded by hoardings for 12 years, was replaced by a new building, but most voiced grave concerns about the lack of affordable housing being included.

However, building work never got under way and the site has since become even more of an eyesore.

Recent storms have knocked over part of the dilapidated hoardings and they have been replaced by mesh fencing. But there is now good news, following the site’s acquisition by housing provider Radian Group in the past couple of weeks.

The new owner intends to implement the planning permission, starting building works in the summer, and including 45 apartments at an affordable rent in order to meet the large requirement in the town for low-cost housing.

James Pennington, development director of Radian Group, told the Herald: “We’re delighted to have been able to purchase this site and will be developing the site with homes, which are in keeping with the local area.

“We hope to be on-site late in the summer and we expect the new scheme to be completed in under two years.

“This development will provide 45 much-needed affordable apartments, and include basement car parking, electric charging points and is in walking distance to the station.”