OUTLINE plans for six new homes on “vacant land” next to a cluster of Grade II listed buildings have been rejected on appeal.

In February, Waverley planners turned down the application on land once part of the grounds of historic Cherrimans on Liphook Road, on grounds including it would be a ‘cramped and crowded layout’ and the 2.5 storey houses would be too prominent.

Haslemere Town Council voiced “grave concerns” about the proposed exit onto the busy B213.

Road safety concerns surrounding the access being “dangerously close to the railway bridge” were also raised by objectors, in addition to complaints the area with three listed buildings was designated an historic site of particular interest, and the development would not be in keeping with its surroundings.

Planning inspector Helen O’Connor noted one of the main issues was the effect of the new homes on the settings of Cherrimans, Brookbank and Middlemarch, which are all Grade II listed.

She reported the significance of these buildings was derived partly from their aesthetic appearance – “which is highly visible in the street scene” – but also as a result of an association with the author George Eliot, who wrote Middlemarch while living in Brookbank.

The development proposed, comprising a pair of semi-detached houses and a terrace of four homes, would result in the loss of all or most of the “attractive historical feature” of a stone boundary wall.

Dismissing the application, the inspector found it “would not cause harm to the living conditions of existing or future residents and would provide for an appropriate range of housing types”.

“However, I conclude that unacceptable harm would result to the character and appearance of the area, including the significance of heritage assets and (it) would not provide for an appropriate level of car parking,” she concluded.