PROPOSALS by the Government to change planning laws in a bid to kickstart the building industry and the economy could needlessly remove a safeguard and permanently harm the character of the area.

That was the cautious reaction from Waverley's planning portfolio holder, Bryn Morgan, to the Government's planned consultation on proposals to increase existing permitted development rights for extensions to homes and business premises for a temporary three-year period.

For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.