CONTROVERSIAL plans to build five houses on the site of a rundown Haslemere office building could have disastrous effects on small businesses, a planning inquiry heard on Tuesday. Developer PNH (Properties) Commercial Ltd, which owns the Bakehouse Yard site off Petworth Road, originally submitted the plans in 2003. The site includes Preston House, which has remained empty since Preston Printers left earlier this year, after around 20 years in the building, and which would be demolished if permission was granted. The plans were refused by Waverley Borough Council despite planning officers recommending the green light for the scheme. Strong public opposition forced the company to withdraw a similar plan last year, but it lodged an appeal against the original decision. But a planning inquiry at the Waverley Borough Council offices in Godalming was told that Haslemere relied on a mix of businesses and that the site should be left for light industrial use. It also heard from local residents who claimed the owner repeatedly drove past nearby traffic counters to give an exaggerated reading for the number of cars which use the site, and who also alleged the company had done little to fill the property since Preston Printers left. Jane Puttock, who lives next to the proposed development on Petworth Road, told inspector Robert Marshall: "In the last few years, since applications for development were made, we have seen it deteriorate, with tenants appearing to be forced out and a general feeling of mistrust and bad feeling between the owner, tenants and residents, with signs being attached to our property without permission and the buildings being made to look as rundown as possible. "While Bakehouse Yard, we would admit, is not the most attractive place, we don't want Haslemere to become a toy town full of residential development. "It is the nooks and crannies down alleys off the main streets which give it interest and character." Miss Puttock also read a statement from Poacher's Pocket restaurant owner Louisa Hyde, who was not at the meeting, expressing concern that any cars entering the new development would be passing just over one metre from her kitchen door, filling it with car fumes. Neighbour Robin Jones told the inspector that five houses on that site would be too dense for the area. Haslemere Chamber of Trade president Arya Ingvorsen said it was vital for both Haslemere and small businesses to keep places such as the Bakehouse Yard and Preston house. Michael Lockwood from The Haslemere Initiative added that the group's health check survey, carried out in 2003, revealed a desire for more industrial areas - and maybe even a shopping centre - as opposed to more houses. However, the appellant claims other former industrial sites in the town have had planning permission granted to convert them for residential use. Graeme Keen, acting for the appellant, said there were no objections from the planning officers to demolishing the current buildings, replacing them with houses or the effect on the existing houses - and the only objection in principle was losing an employment site. Mr Keen added: "It is not a suitable location for employment because of poor access and inadequate buildings for modern needs. "There is clear evidence from several sources in the report to committee that it is not a suitable location and there is no need to retain it for employment." Mr Keen cross-examined Ian Rowland, a Waverley Borough Council policy planner, on whether the site was necessary for employment reasons. Mr Rowland revealed that, while Farnham and Godalming had a high level of offices and floor space available for businesses, Haslemere had relatively little. A council survey, put together with the help of local letting agents to show how many business properties are available in each area, revealed that Haslemere had none between March and September this year. The council claims start-up businesses rely on small, light industrial buildings which can be let for "peppercorn" rates when businesses are starting out. Council officer Ailsa Rhodes, claimed in her report that the developers did not properly market the site for any interest before deciding it could no longer be used for business purposes. However, Mr Keen said the list of available properties was not conclusive because the figures were submitted by volunteers. He added that only two people in seven months showed any interest in the site - with both turning it down - indicating it was not ideal for business. The inquiry was due to finish yesterday (Thursday) following a site visit.
