PLANS for a possible waste treatment site on the Runfold antiques and stoneyard have come under heavy fire from local councillors. Members of Farnham Town Council's environmental services committee described the inclusion of Runfold in a list of seven potential sites as "disgraceful", "appalling" and "abominable" at a meeting last week. The committee had been asked to comment on the proposal by Surrey County Council (SCC), forming part of a waste plan that the county is under a statutory obligation to prepare and adopt by next year. After an initial consultation period, SCC consultants published a report in February concluding "there is scope to use sensitive design and layout to minimise impact on residential amenity" in Runfold. But Chris Mansell won the support of last Thursday's meeting, saying SCC's assessment of the area "demonstrated a total lack of feel and touch about how local people want to live their lives". Victor Scrivens, Waverley's portfolio holder for the environment, agreed. "I am horrified at the way SCC has pushed through this proposal. It has come as a surprise to everyone, with no warning given to councillors, the public or the owners of the site, on whom it will have a detrimental effect. The way it has been handled is dreadful and appalling, with no consideration for local people. "If they can get away with this then maybe we should be looking around Surrey for opportunities to hide rubbish under people's floors. They have no idea how to run an organisation and no idea how to take into account local people's interests. I am sick to death of it. "In our response we should be very strong in our comments. Someone needs to say this is a disgraceful way to behave." Last month The Herald reported that Bernard Green, a part-owner of the premises, who ran Alf's Cafe there for more than 20 years and is currently trading as Runfold Collectibles on the property, knew nothing of the site's involvement in the plan. Mr Green said at the time his efforts to sell the property and create a pension nest-egg had been affected by the publication of a site assessment and photographs he did not permit. The consultants' report acknowledged the site was up for sale, that sealed bids were due to be submitted to the agents and that a sale might be imminent. Anne Mansell said: "No, no, and more no. Alf's Cafe brings back memories of my student days; we have all known it for a long time. "We want to get Runfold removed from this list as soon as possible. "We still don't know what kind of waste might be taken there if it is approved, and residents have told me they are worried it will be green waste, which might become putrid in the summer. "If there is such a great need for something to be done, then surely they (SCC) can use another part of one of the areas already in use." Other concerns were voiced about the impact on nearby residents' quality of life. Carlo Genziani said: "At the moment this proposal is a blight on everyone in Runfold. SCC must at the very least tell homeowners as soon as possible whether or not they intend to build a waste plant there. They must not sit on it for months and months because this will badly affect any neighbours who decide to sell up and move out." But SCC has postponed any formal decisions on the plan until a meeting of its executive in June, followed by more consultation. David Attfield said: "I am horrified at the level of rubbish falling off trucks taking it to the sites. If we allow another site, it will only add to this. What's worse, nobody takes responsibility for clearing it up, the litter just lies there for weeks. "We must try to get these lorries off our roads because they are a disgrace." Councillors unanimously agreed that while the site is not within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (where only narrowly defined "proportional" construction can take place), it did form part of a designated "strategic gap" separating Farnham and Aldershot. In a statement on Friday, committee chairman Susan Farrow confirmed that the comments she would be sending to SCC regarding the site would highlight the "cavalier" nature of the proposal and the "blighting effect" on neighbours. She added: "A waste treatment site is completely unsuitable for the strategic gap, which we must preserve as a green oasis and corridor for wildlife. "We find it extremely regrettable that this site has ever been considered."
