AMENDED plans to build a new house on land on the outskirts of Haslemere are being recommended for approval by Waverley Borough Council planning officers. The scheme for land at Fairacre, Farnham Lane, Haslemere was due to go before councillors at last Wednesday (April 25) night's meeting of Waverley Borough Council's Development Management Committee. In a report planning officers note that concerns have been expressed over the size of the proposed house and the fact that it would be larger than the surrounding homes. But the applicants argue the proposed house would be set into the hillside to reduce its impact. The proposed house would be more than 20 metres away from the living room patio doors of the nearest house, which officers consider to be a "sufficient distance such that the new house would not appear as overbearing or that it would result in a loss of light". But Surrey County Council's Rights of Way officer has recommended that permission for the scheme should be refused as the driveway would "encroach upon the footpath". Although concerns have also been expressed over the amount of traffic on Farnham Lane, the highway authority has considered the application and raised no objection. In their report, officers conclude; permission for the scheme should be granted as the proposed development would not harm the character of the area or neighbouring homes.
