A planning inspector has given a developer a huge boost in its bid to build a new estate on the edge of Farnham Park.

Outline plans by Gleeson Homes to build up to 83 houses on agricultural land north of the Abbey View development have been approved on appeal.

The original application was rejected by Waverley Borough Council but planning inspector Johanna Ayres has allowed the firm’s appeal in a further setback to the authority and the town’s Neighbourhood Plan.

The scheme was rejected amid concerns about the impact it would have on spatial strategy, the character of the area and Abbey View residents, with the quiet Keepsake Way cul-de-sac becoming the access point.

The loss of footpaths, countryside and heritage were also cited during a well-contested hearing in Godalming.

But although opponents felt Robin Green defended the WBC decision well, the council’s “significant shortfall” of land supply for housing proved decisive.

“There is agreement between the parties that WBC is unable to demonstrate a five year housing land supply,” wrote Inspector Ayres in her report.

“In an authority which is unable to demonstrate a five-year supply of homes, these dwellings would boost the supply of housing in one of the most sustainable settlements within the borough.

“The shortfall in market housing is considerable and there is a substantial shortfall in affordable housing. The proposal would provide up to 24 affordable dwellings for people in housing need and up to 59 market dwellings.

“This would make a significant contribution to housing supply and is provision of both affordable and market housing is of substantial weight.”

There was a case of deja-vu for opponents and WBC as the decision followed failed bids to prevent new developments at Coxbridge Farm and Waverley Lane, while the Ismaili Trust won their appeal to build a Muslim funeral building off Hale Road in February.

Cllr Catherine Powell, who defended WBC’s original decisions at the Old Park Lane and Hale Road hearings, called the inspector’s decision “beyond disappointing”.

She said: “It’s disappointing for the people of Abbey View and it really shows that the planning system isn’t working.

“The fact someone can buy a home, only for the road outside to be widened and brought closer to their property and have no control over it I think is just wrong.

“The last four planning appeals in Farnham we’ve lost all of them. The reality is we’ve lost Monkton Lane, Waverley Lane and this is because WBC didn’t have a five-year land supply.

“The pressure to build, build, build is making it worse.

“Developers have huge amounts of money to spend and councils don’t. They pay for a KC and some people who will fight every single corner and councils can’t afford to do that.”

The decision doesn’t mean building will start soon as the application is outline, and only confirms the principle of development on the site. Approval also comes with conditions, with Gleeson needing to provide a detailed surface water drainage scheme among others.