ANGRY placard-waving residents turned out in force on Wednesday to protest over claims that housing developers are flouting planning laws. As Waverley planners arrived to take a look at the controversial situation for themselves in Farnham Lane, they were greeted by more than 15 residents with posters and placards. Holding posters bearing the slogan "Say NO to Beech House breaches", residents were demanding that Waverley takes immediate action over the issue. The long-drawn-out saga involves claims that two homes on the large plot, for which planning permission was approved in 2004, following the demolition of an existing property, have been constructed in different positions and are far bigger than was originally agreed. Waverley Borough Council planners deferred a decision on the matter when it came before development management committee at the end of May, because of a lack of information, and the same committee deferred it again at the end of June and called for a site visit. In April Haslemere Town Council accused Waverley Borough Council planning officers of "leaving them in a fog" over the issue. But a spokesman for Waverley maintained that the new application was just an alteration to permission originally granted for the two houses in 2004. In a recent letter to Waverley councillors, Farnham Lane resident David Precious urged the council to back the protesters and refuse the alteration to the original plans. He claimed: "We are, and have been, struggling to get a fair and democratic acceptance of our complaints, as have Haslemere Town Council, and we are looking to you to refuse this application, which is in fact a cover for the six breaches as specified." However, Waverley councillors refused to comment during and after the site visit. Protesters have received huge support from Haslemere residents, with 73 letters of objection being sent to Waverley planning department. Bill Martin, a gardener at three homes in Farnham Lane, told The Herald he was concerned that the planning laws were not being upheld. "This is the worst part of the lane and the fact they have overridden the conditions of their application makes a mockery of the whole planning system," he said. Traffic has also proved to be a problem in the ancient sunken lane, particularly during term-time, when The Royal School at the top of the road is open. Resident Dee Henderson said: "Every day it's a battle to get out of my driveway. "The police are up here quite often because of the traffic, especially when the school is open. "Whilst this development has been built there have been huge lorries at the end of the drive, making it impossible to get down to my house. Karin Round, another Farnham Lane resident, added: "There is a huge problem with cars on the road. It's the school holidays at the moment so it appears quieter, but on a normal day it's extremely busy." Mr Precious also expressed his concern at the change of external design to the new homes, the fact that skylights have been put into the roof and the proximity of the buildings to the lane. He claimed one of the properties is now closer to Farnham Lane by 42 per cent, when compared to the original plans. He added that the footprint of the properties had also been increased by six per cent, effectively giving an extra 8ft by 8ft room on each floor. He also stated that although the houses appeared screened at this time of year, the trees were mainly deciduous and the rest of the year the surrounding homes would be faced with brick walls. Mr Precious also made a plea for help in a letter to MP Jeremy Hunt. He said: "We are not allowed to talk to our local councillors, as this apparently would be considered prejudicial. "We feel that planning have been abusing their powers and influence over the planning committee councillors by not informing them of all the situations." Planners will hear at the meeting next week a report by Waverley Borough Council planning officers that "the changes to the footprint are not considered to represent a significant change to the layout and there is still substantial separation between the proposed dwellings and surrounding properties". A final decision will be made on the two homes at the meeting of Waverley's development and management committee at 6-30 pm on Wednesday at the Waverley Borough Council offices in Godalming. No-one was available to comment on the issue at agents Rathbone Miller as The Herald went to press.
