DEVELOPERS faced fierce criticism, laughter and heckling this week as Haslemere residents turned out in force to oppose a controversial scheme to build key- worker homes on the outskirts of the town. Property developer Alan Leather, from Alan Leather Associates, fought to convince a packed public gallery at a Waverley Public Consultative Forum on Tuesday night that the controversial plans to erect 36 new key worker homes on Green Belt land were "genuine and "philanthropic". The proposals are for the erection of a housing estate on land that falls under the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) at Sturt Farm, Haslemere. The area also falls under the Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV), placing a responsibility on the council to "protect and conserve the distinctiveness of the landscape". Plans were drawn up to provide housing that the area's key workers, such as hospital staff and those in the emergency services, could afford. Councillors and the public heard how these workers, "essential" to the local community, cannot afford to live in Waverley and that as the site is being given free by the landowner, Anthony Lawson, it should be used for this purpose. Mr Leather, the architect working on the project, explained how house prices in Haslemere are "beyond most people" and that they have good intentions. "What we're trying to do here is provide homes that people can afford. Our offer is a genuine philanthropic one," he said. He went on to explain how they will be providing the land free so that the houses can be given at 50 per cent of market value. Following accusations from the public benches that Mr Lawson will be lining his own pockets from the scheme, Mr Leather tried to quell such fears. "The owner will not take part in the development; he's not a developer" he said to laughter and shouts from the public. "We believe that there is no alternative to these proposals and this is a scheme which is deliverable and deliverable now. We think this is different and we hope that you will be able to support it." David Smith, the chairman of The Haslemere Society, described Mr Lawson as a "successful property developer" and raised concerns that further development of his land could arise in the future. "We want to ensure that any land is given to a housing association and that any development is put out to tender so that there's no benefit to Mr Lawson or his company," he said. The meeting heard how the trust will be established to ensure that the homes remain affordable as Waverley has been identified as one of the greatest areas of need for investment in affordable housing. The annual income required to purchase a one- bedroom flat in Haslemere in 2005 was £30,800, according to a Waverley survey. It's a figure that many young key workers don't come close to earning. Inspector Andy Grahams, of Surrey Police, spoke from his own personal experience at the forum. "Throughout my entire career I've always lived in Sussex or Hampshire and I'm an inspector now with Surrey Police. I hate to think how the young people coming in can afford to live in the area. There was just no way that I could afford to live in Waverley so I now have to live in Hampshire." He mentioned three incidents recently where police officers stationed in Guildford and working long and tiring shifts, had suffered road traffic accidents on their way home to Southampton. "Thirty four per cent of Surrey Police officers live outside Surrey and this is because they all earn exactly the same salary in every part of the county." He went on to say that he could could move north and afford a large house for the price of a flat in Waverley but added: "I don't want to move." Richard Jones, a Surrey firefighter, said that he was representing more than 700 workers in Surrey, of which 35 per cent don't live in the county. "At present we are 30 per cent under-crewed because we can't get people to join," he said. "If Haslemere is left under-manned as it is at the moment then it will get worse and worse. Housing is a big part of this problem as Surrey has for a long time been the recruitment centre of the country for firefighters." However, the meeting heard how the proposals flew in the face of Waverley policy on the protected AONB and AGLV land. According to policy, Waverley has a responsibility to manage and enhance the landscape features to conserve landscape character and retain diversity. Speaking on behalf of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), Colin Hall said that although it recognised the need for affordable housing, the development could not be justified "in the national interest". "AONB borders are very fixed and they should not be eroded piecemeal. The character of Haslemere needs to be respected and urban sprawl should be avoided." A contentious issue at the meeting was the definition of key workers and councillors questioned the need for housing solely for this group. David Inman, Waverley borough councillor for Chiddingfold and Dunsfold and a member of the development management committee A, brought this point to the attention of the planners. "We're all key workers," he exclaimed. "Shouldn't we provide housing for everyone? I think that the rent for these houses should be jolly low." James Mackie, a Haslemere town councillor and past town mayor, recognised the problems faced by young people. "There's a need for affordable housing and here's an opportunity for getting land that doesn't have to be bought. However, the town council argues that this site is not appropriate. "When all's said and done, it's still AONB land." At the end of the forum, Mr Leather was met with mocking laughter as he summed up the planning proposals. He said: "I hope tonight that we've dispelled some of the myths about this project."
