WAVERLEY planners have given Surrey County Council a rap over the knuckles because of its failure to complete agreements on road works at the former Happy Eater site at Hindhead crossroads.

On Wednesday of last week, members of the Waverley southern area development control sub-committee agreed to the road works going ahead to comply with the housing developers' tight schedule.

Although the highways agreement is still unsigned, the decision will allow Fairview Homes to carry out the necessary works including moving plant and materials on site ahead of any building work.

They heard that the developers had already paid £300,000 in advance for the work which Waverley planing officers considered was a firm commitment by Fairview to complete the legal agreement.

Road works include widening the A3 Portsmouth-to-London trunk road and Tilford Road areas close to the site and demolishing the former post office on the corner of the A287.

But councillors were critical of the county council and its delay in getting the agreement signed.

Waverley planning officer Ann Wright told the meeting that SCC had said it was trying to progress the agreement "as fast as it could".

Former planning committee chairman Jean Mansley reminded her colleagues of the condition laid down by planners when the development of 28 homes and 30 flats was given the go-ahead last January.

It ensured that the developers signed an agreement to say that road works would be completed at its own expense before any other work on the site took place.

Mrs Mansley said: "This was a very controversial debate and I am very concerned. We are being asked to negate our conditions and it is all to do with SCC taking an extraordinarily long time to get its act together."

And Jacquie Keen said: "Waverley has done the best it can and we don't have any reason for the delay. We have a right to know. I think it is very poor."

"It's like running up against a brick wall. It is highly unsatisfactory and not in the public interest that this has happened this way," added Douglas Commaille.

Chairman Ann Mugford told the committee that she would be happy to sign a letter to SCC asking why there had been a delay in signing the agreement.

The committee agreed to grant permission by a majority. Mrs Mansley abstained from the vote.