OUTLINE plans for up to 30 new homes at Low Lane, Badshot Lea, were dismissed on appeal last Wednesday.

Waverley planners rejected the scheme, which triggered 60 objections, in June 2015.

Farnham Town Council protested the application was “inappropriate and out-of-keeping with the village scene and the Farnham Design Statement” and it was “unacceptable to build in the Strategic Gap and on greenfield sites”.

Farnham’s draft neighbourhood plan states: “The Strategic Gap, which separates Badshot Lea from Weybourne and Hale and, ultimately, from Aldershot in the adjoining borough must be retained and enhanced and the essential rural character of Badshot Lea must be preserved.”

Neighbouring residents objected that the proposed site was in a flood zone area, where recent rains had raised water levels considerably and caused flooding on the highway.

They also emphasised there were considerable traffic problems already in the area and that 30 new homes would exacerbate the problem.

Waverley is under pressure to find sites for new homes and there was mounting concern that the application could be granted on appeal.

Planning inspector Ava Wood acknowledged in her report that Waverley’s unmet need for new housing and particularly the shortage of affordable homes weighed heavily in favour of the scheme.

But she decided to refuse it, concluding the adverse impacts of granting permission for the “modest” development would “significantly and demonstrably” outweigh the benefits described.

“Set against a background of unmet affordable housing need, almost 166 households on the housing register and an annual affordable housing need of over 350 annually, the 12 (maximum) affordable homes forthcoming from the appeal development weighs heavily in its favour,” she reported.

“I find that the proposed development would conform to the social and economic dimensions of sustainable development. The provision of new market and affordable homes are significant benefits in the circumstances of a shortfall and unmet need position in the Borough.

“However, due to the modest scale of the development proposed, and the limited extent to which it would contribute to the supply of housing and affordable housing needs of the Borough, the adverse impacts of granting permission would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits described.”