HASLEMERE Town Council has voiced “grave concern” Beacon Hill will become a dormitory town if permitted development changes from commercial to residential use continue to be agreed at the current rate.

Town mayor Malcolm Carter is meeting with Waverley’s head of planning Elizabeth Sims to discuss the harmful impact the permissions granted are having on the community.

The town council is urging that the borough council should invoke an “article four directive” which would restrict permitted development rights in the area – meaning a landowner would be required to seek planning consent.

The issue is also being raised with Stewart Brown, chairman of Haslemere Vision, to see if invoking article four can be included within the town’s neighbourhood plan.

The town council also hopes the directive could be invoked in Waverley’s new Local Plan to protect key retail areas.

Town councillors agreed to take action after Waverley planners granted consent for two new homes on the former site of the Amalfi Trattoria, in October.

An earlier change of use for three houses to replace the restaurant on the site in Hampton Terrace, was refused by Waverley in July and went to appeal.

The town council has objected that the loss of a commercial property is contrary to planning guidelines concerning the retention of visitor-related premises and community facilities in villages.

The amended application for two houses was agreed in October, because the site is located within the developed area of Hindhead, which is a suitable location for the provision of new housing.

The scheme would also provide two additional homes to contribute “in a small way” towards the borough’s housing need.

The planning officers’ report said. “While the loss of the restaurant is regrettable, it is considered not to be well located and the overall shortfall in parking spaces would be improved.

“While some concerns have been raised with regard to the outlook afforded to the second bedroom of flat one, it is outweighed by the benefit of providing two new dwellings in a sustainable location.”

Last week, planning inspector Grahame Gould dismissed the application for three homes, which was refused by Waverley in July, on the grounds the living conditions were “unacceptable”.

Mr Gould noted planning policy seeks to secure the retention of food establishments as “visitor-related facilities,” and the retention of community facilities in villages.

But he concluded that because two sets of marketing details showed the asking price was substantially reduced, there was limited market interest in the premises.

The inspector said: “While being mindful of the limitations of the viability and marketing evidence that is available, I consider it likely this is an unsustainable location for the continued operation of a restaurant.

“While I have found there be would no unacceptable loss of restaurant provision in the area, I consider the development would provide unacceptable living conditions for some of its occupiers.

“I therefore conclude the appeal should be dismissed.”