TWO major planning applications which have met with strong opposition from residents, and which have been modified after earlier rejections, have been recommended for refusal by Waverley Planning Officers.

An application from Barratts Homes to build homes on Park School Site at St James' Avenue, and a proposal to build flats on land at More House Nursing Home in Shortheath Road, will be discussed by Western Area Development Control Sub-Committee this week.

The Barratts' application comprises 39 homes, including 10 affordable dwellings, to follow the demolition of the two existing former school buildings.

It also includes the provision of a two-storey nursery building and an amenity area with provision for six car parking spaces.

The application has had a long and contentious history and follows a previous proposal to erect 51 houses which was refused in October last year. Another two appeals followed, the most recent of which was dismissed in July this year.

Following the school's closure in the 1980s the two buildings have been used for a Youth Training Scheme and as a Social Services Locality Team Centre and Family Centre.

Residents have always opposed the application and would like to see the buildings retained and used for community use or charitable purposes.

It is felt that the homes would be out of keeping with the character of the area and there would not be adequate parking provision for the extra vehicles.

Waverley Borough Council has always been in agreement with residents and has recommended refusal on the grounds that the site has not been marketed properly.

It believes that other options such as using the building for community facilities and charities have not been given sufficient consideration.

"The appellants have failed to submit evidence of a suitable marketing exercise to demonstrate that the buildings cannot be re-used for a community use.The proposal thereby contravenes the objectives of Waverley Borough Local plan 1993."

The other application involves the demolition of the More House Nursing Home at Shortheath Road and the erection of a three-storey building to provide 12 apartments.

It follows a previous application in June this year which proposed 28 flats and was refused.

The application has provoked strong opposition from residents and the Farnham Society and has attracted 39 letters of objection.

Many feel the building will represent an over-development and be out of scale and character in this semi-rural area, low-density area.

Residents believe the density of the building would be better suited to an inner-city area and would be too overbearing to neighbouring properties, resulting in loss of privacy and amenity.