THE whole character of a quiet area of Haslemere could drastically change if a planning application to demolish a large existing home and build up to 13 houses in its place is granted.
That was the view of Haslemere town councillors last week, who described the proposals as ÒalarmingÓ.
With 15 letters of objection to plans at 20 Courts Mount Road, town councillors were unanimous in their condemnation of the scheme.
ÒThe reasonable maximum of homes on that site is three, four would be stretching it and 13 would be ridiculous,Ó said Fay Foster.
Councillors were debating two separate applications on the site, one for four houses and another for 13.
They were worried about a number of issues, including the amount of commuter and school traffic which uses the narrow road with its lack of a footpath, plus the affect it would have on the privacy of neighbours.
And for one neighbour, whose first floor sitting room would overlook the development, Michael Biddiscombe said: ÒIt would impinge on their privacy and is a very regrettable and serious matter.
ÒYou have to be very careful where you park. Towards Sandrock the road narrows and the footpath disappears, and the prospect of traffic for 13 cars doesnÕt bear thinking about,Ó he continued.
Referring to the quest for more homes to be built in the south, he concluded: ÒThis sort of thing alarms me, this is not one of the places they should go.Ó
Town councillors decided to object to both applications on a number of grounds. The four homes, they considered, would create an undesirable precedent, and the 13 houses an over density with insufficient parking.
Both applications they agreed were out of character and an over-development which would affect the privacy of neighbours, particularly of one house.