PLANS to extend Haslemere's conservation area have come under fire, despite a plea that they are necessary to protect the town's character.

Proposals to extend the conservation area in the town are due to be discussed by Waverley Borough Council's executive on Tuesday.

The plan has already received the backing of borough officers but Surrey County Council is arguing that the area within the proposed extension does not warrant inclusion. As previously reported by The Herald, the Haslemere Society wants to extend the conservation area to include much of the Courts Mount Road area, as well as Sandrock and a portion of Shepherd's Hill.

If agreed, 45 extra homes will be included in the extended conservation area.

Recently, the Courts Mount Road area has been targeted by developers and an application to demolish a home "Tithe Barn" and replace it with 12 flats, proved to be the final straw for the society.

It drew up plans for an extended conservation area and submitted them to the planning authority, Waverley Borough Council, for consideration. Although largely supportive of the proposals the council made some minor amendments to the proposed boundary.

A revised boundary was then the subject of public consultation, the results of which are due to be considered for the first time next week.

A report to the executive said that there was "a somewhat mixed reaction to the proposal" with "five objections and 25 responses in favour".

"One of the objections was from Thurleigh Homes, which plans to develop the Tithe Barn site, in the middle of the proposed extension, for housing," the report said.

"The Haslemere Society, the town council, the Haslemere Hillside Action Group and the museum were in support."

Councillors were due to hear that objectors had argued that the plans were unnecessary as the area does not have a "special character".

A key objector is Surrey County Council, whose historic buildings officer has added weight to the argument that the area does not warrant inclusion in the conservation area.

"Surrey County Council does not support the proposed extension because it is considered that the area does not have special character sufficient to merit designation," the report explained.

The county council also argued that the extension area has "no direct physical or visual relationship with the existing conservation area".

However, this is refuted by borough council officers, who argue that "local appreciation" for the area means that it should be included.

The report said: "It is regretted that Surrey County Council does not support the proposal but it is considered that the local appreciation of the area by the designating authority, the borough council, is an important factor in the consideration of the proposal."

Officers have recommended that the executive backs the proposals and submits it to full council for a final decision.

News that the proposals are being supported by officers has been welcomed by the Haslemere Society.

Member Robert Serman, who has been pushing for the extension of the conservation area, said that it was needed to prevent "the destruction of our town".

"We are seeing the erosion of the things which make Haslemere the unique town that it is," he said.

"We are seeing large numbers of houses being demolished and replaced by uniform, small, modern houses which try to capture the same sense of style with tile hangings and pieces of wood but fail miserably."

Mr Serman also said that the "high density" of the homes increases traffic and results in small and cramped homes with little room and storage space.

However, the owner of Tithe Barn Darren Ellis feels that the plans to redevelop his home have made it the real target of the extension area plans.

Although the borough council refused the redevelopment plans, an appeal had been lodged and a planning inspector is due to consider the application on September 22.

"It is interesting to note that the proposed extension to the conservation area is literally, up to and around Tithe Barn, specifically excluding recent developments to the north, west and east of our plot," he said.

"If one was cynical, one could say that council's proposal is sponsored by the Haslemere Society/action group.

"It is also interesting that Surrey County Council, which can be considered as an objective opinion, does not support the proposal, stating that the area does not have sufficient character.

"This clearly reflects the changes that have taken place in our area in recent years.

"We remain, a family who decided to put our house up for sale following the developments around us. It is therefore disappointing that the local council appear to be influenced by those who shout loudest."