FINISHING touches to complete a modern country palace – including a tennis pavilion, summerhouse and helipad – are up for determination by Waverley planners.

There has been praise for the improvements, but concern about the helipad.

Waverley Borough Council granted planning consent more than 15 years ago for a grand neo-classical mansion on the 500-acre estate to replace the original building destroyed by fire in 1953.

The departure from normal planning regulations was approved under the 1990s ‘Gummer’s Law’ loophole – now closed – which enabled isolated large houses to be built on greenfield sites if their architectural and landscape design was ‘truly outstanding’ and enhanced their surroundings.

The latest proposals form part of an ambitious programme to restore and improve the historic buildings and landscape at Witley Park.

As part of this, planning consent was granted in March 2019 to extend the main house and build the missing south wing, and also remove the existing north wing, and replace it with an improved design.

The proposed summer house will reinstate an historic landscape feature that was lost in the early 1950s and a new tennis court will replace a pair of 1930s tennis courts that were removed in 2008.

A new tennis pavilion is proposed, which will be designed to reflect the style of the bathing pavilion designed by Edwin Lutyens in the 1890s.

Two existing stable blocks will be replaced with a new block designed in a style and using materials that reflect the appearance of Grade II listed Brook Lodge, accessed by a pedimented arched entrance with new tree planting.

Responding to the plans, one neighbour expressed his support for the programme to enhance the buildings and estate but was concerned about the lack of information about the helipad.

He commented: “There is absolutely nothing to explain the proposed usage of the helipad.

“Having lived at our current address for over 30 years, we are aware that over recent years the surrounding area (an area of outstanding natural beauty) has become increasingly blighted by noise from helicopter traffic.

“Without more detail or conditions limiting the frequency of take-offs and landings, we object to this aspect of the application.”

Natural England has also raised an objection to the helipad, asking for details of how many helicopter movements are predicted.