WAVERLEY is facing calls to defer a decision on plans for a new children’s nursery at one of Farnham’s worst pollution hotspots pending the outcome of a police probe into the borough council’s botched 2016 air quality report.

Members of Waverley’s western planning committee are set to determine an application to convert The Waverley Arms pub opposite Farnham Station into a ‘Perfect Start’ children’s nursery catering for up to 80 children on Wednesday.

However, amid uncertainty over the full extent of Farnham’s pollution problem after the results of an independent audit into the brewing scandal was referred to Surrey Police last week, neighbours of the pub have called on councillors to delay their decision.

Station Hill has long been identified as one of the locations in Farnham where levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exceed the national objective.

Controversially, this was not deemed to be the case in Waverley’s 2016 report to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and as such Waverley’s head of environmental services Richard Homewood raised no objections to Perfect Start’s plans.

But objectors now believe Mr Homewood’s decision was based on erroneous data, and have called for all planning applications where air pollution could be a factor to be deferred until the police has concluded its investigation.

Waverley Lane resident Mark Stacey said: “Surrey County Council did not object to the Waverley Arms plans on traffic grounds, which is ridiculous particularly with the additional level crossing closures that are proposed.

“And although Waverley’s first environmental report said the application was ‘completely unsuitable’, two weeks later Richard Homewood overturned the council’s objection - despite basing his decision on historic readings that are now contentious.

“I was diagnosed with emphysema last year, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I’ve been living in one of the most polluted parts of Farnham for years. Now they want to put little children here?

“Out of common decency Waverley should put the decision on hold until everything’s settled.”

To view the application in full visit the website www.waverley.gov.uk/plan

ning and search for reference WA/2017/0823. The planning meeting will take place at 7.15pm next Wednesday at The Bury’s council offices in Godalming, and will be webcast on Waverley’s YouTube channel.