Fresh plans to build two new blocks of council flats in Tongham have been given the green light. 

Guildford Borough Council sought planning permission from itself to build the blocks – which would provide six new council homes – on land to the rear of Manor House Flats in the village near Farnham.

All the flats will be available at affordable rents at Local Housing Allowance levels, according to the planning documents.

“The provision of these homes will directly respond to the acute local need for affordable accommodation and will make a significant contribution towards addressing the affordability crisis and the identified shortfall in the borough’s housing supply,” the planning statement adds.

Three of the flats provided through the scheme would have one bedroom designed for two occupants, while the remaining three would have two bedrooms.

The site falls 400 metres away from Tongham village centre, as well as being less than three kilometres from both Aldershot and Ash railway stations.

The planning statement adds: “The proposed accommodation will be of high quality, providing adequate amenity for future residents in the form of private and communal amenity space which exceeds policy requirements and design guidance, which will support the health, wellbeing, and day-to-day needs of residents.

“The layout and orientation of the proposed development have been carefully considered to avoid any undue impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties, thereby maintaining privacy, outlook, and access to daylight for existing occupiers.”

However, several residents wrote to object to the scheme, with complaints ranging from loss of privacy and green space to potential traffic impacts.

One resident wrote: “I share serious concerns about the impact on our privacy, with new buildings and parking so close to our gardens.

“This development will overlook our properties and result in a significant loss of outlook and natural light. The proposed density is out of keeping with the character of our low-rise, residential area.”

Another said: “The noise generated by construction activities will be extremely disruptive, particularly for residents like myself who work from home.

“Additionally, long-term occupancy of the flats will result in a permanent increase in noise levels in a currently quiet area.”

However, planning officers recommended granting planning permission nonetheless, subject to conditions to “ensure impacts on highway safety, ecology, flooding, drainage and trees are acceptable”.

They wrote: “The proposed development would deliver six additional residential units of an acceptable scale, design and massing, and would therefore not result in unacceptable harm to the character of the area.

“The site and building layout would ensure that acceptable living conditions would be provided to the occupants and the amenity of neighbouring properties would not be impacted to an unacceptable level.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

According to the decision notice, planning permission for the works to go ahead was granted on October 19.