A recent visit by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has reignited political debate over who is to blame for the failure to sell the Woolmead site.

Ms Badenoch blamed Waverley Borough Council and the Government’s over-ambitious housing targets for the stalled sale.

She said: “As far as I believe, Waverley Borough Council, with their high CIL payments and planning decisions, should be to blame for the failure to sell a ‘brownfield site’ such as the Woolmead.

“Meanwhile, the Government are also to blame, as places such as Farnham are paying for the Government’s decision to stop building in cities like London and to build in rural areas.”

Many residents have expressed frustration that a brownfield site has been left unused while other areas, such as the fields by Coxbridge, have been rapidly developed, transforming what were once Farnham’s hop fields into waves of brick housing.

Cllr Liz Townsend BEM, Waverley’s portfolio holder for planning and economic development, denied the authority was at fault.

She said: “Waverley Borough Council has no powers to compel developers to build once planning permission has been granted. It would be interesting to know which statutory powers Ms Badenoch believes we could use to do so.

“We have previously lobbied both her government and the current government to introduce legislation that would give local authorities greater ability to ensure that approved sites are delivered, but no such powers have been forthcoming.

“In this particular case, the Woolmead site was purchased by Homes England, the Government’s own housing and regeneration agency, and is now being marketed for sale by them. It would therefore be appropriate for Ms Badenoch to direct her concerns to Homes England regarding the site’s progress.

“The council continues to stay in contact with Homes England and stands ready to work closely with any new owners to bring forward this much-needed development in the centre of Farnham.”