THE impact on Haslemere of major development in NW Sussex is to be examined carefully after a key agreement between councils.

Haslemere's county councillor, Christine Stevens, has helped to broker an agreement with planning officers in West Sussex so that the effect of major development on Haslemere will be a key factor in the deliberations.

It is the developments at the King Edward VII Hospital in Midhurst and the former Syngenta site at Fernhurst which have caused her the most concern as well as "creeping" smaller-scale housing developments in Haslemere itself.

On top of this, the Ministry of Defence is looking at the possibility of leaving nearby Bordon in Hampshire, which will also have a major impact on Haslemere, the councillor has said.

This is primarily due to Haslemere's good rail links to London and Portsmouth, which may attract commuters from the Bordon area which has no railway station of its own.

However, Mrs Stevens is making some progress and has met planning officers from West Sussex to discuss the threats posed by a future large development on the Syngenta site.

Although the application has been withdrawn, it is expected to re-emerge and Mrs Stevens is keen to ensure that the application's impact on Haslemere is properly discussed.

"We looked at the plans, which showed Haslemere's attractive station in bold," she told The Herald.

"Any development on this site would naturally be marketed with this as an attraction which is great for new residents and local business, but also poses threats of congestion.

"We would welcome the extra business in the town from West Sussex but we need to plan for traffic movement.

"It is clear that this West Sussex site poses major policy issues for the planners on both sides of the border - so we have a mutual concern. Its scale makes it a likely application to be called in or to go to appeal.

"Whether an eventual application was refused or granted, I have stressed that there needs to be effective damage limitation for Haslemere.

"Our meeting was exceptionally positive and helped us to develop a good working relationship.

"I explained the impacts, including the threats of commuter rat-running in the Courts Mount area."

Mrs Stevens asked officers for three key areas which have been agreed.

They are:

• The West Sussex traffic assessment for the site should extend to Haslemere, especially the station routes.

• Surrey officers to contact Chichester District Council to set up an ongoing dialogue about the impacts on Haslemere and to include the town in the formal consultation.

• Negotiations on legal and planning agreements should include Haslemere's issues - especially effective bus services for commuters and shoppers.

In addition to this, in partnership with the town council and other partners, Mrs Stevens wants to set up a meeting with rail chiefs to move along plans for improved parking at the station and to develop plans for future traffic movement in the town

"If we accept that something will one day go on the Syngenta site, and we bear in mind the huge potential for vast numbers of houses on the MoD land at Bordon, then both these matters are levers to get the right people round the negotiating table - well upfront of applications.

"We know from the A3 tunnel saga, that strategic plans take a long time to be implemented.

"The big issue is not huge numbers of houses and other buildings but whether the infrastructure can cope with the consequences.

"I don't want Haslemere trampled on.

"Our local voice needs to be heard in the right places, and it will have more impact if it is united."