CONTROVERSY around a proposed pavement linking a new housing development to the centre of Elstead has been raised by councillors.

Clarion Housing is set to build 69 new homes at the former Weyburn Works site on the border of Elstead and Peper Harow parishes, with a condition a footway be built.

The proposed route heads south along Shackleford Road to ‘Marcus Triangle’ at the junction of Milford Road and Shackleford Road, before crossing Milford Road and linking with the exisiting footway. But, strong objections have been lodged against the project by Elstead Parish Council together with Peper Harow parish and two Waverley borough councillors, David and Jenny Else, as although it has been given consent, it is said to be “unsafe, unsuitable, unnecessary and arguably unlawful”.

Objectors said the footway crosses Milford Road at a “dangerous double bend where there have been several serious road accidents in recent years” and makes “no provision for cyclists”.

It is “unnecessary because Elstead Parish Council has offered a much shorter and safer pathway across its own land”, as well as “arguably unlawful because it would be constructed on common land, for which specific consent from the Planning Inspectorate is normally required”.

But, a Surrey County Council spokesman confirmed the new pedestrian link “will all be built on highways land, none of the route is on common land”.

“We would not work on any common land without the correct consent,” they said.

“We have been through all the council’s safety checks as well as an independent road safety audit. Construction works are expected to start later this month.”

Clarion Housing is “awaiting guidance” from the county council, according to a spokesman, who added: “We are delivering this Elstead site in line with the planning permission and legal agreements, which have been agreed with Surrey County Council.”