PROPERTY developers and residents packed into Waverley Borough Council offices on Tuesday for the start of a six-day public examination to test if its local plan, the blueprint for future development, is “sound”.

The number attending was so great, two additional rooms had to be used for the overflow from the public gallery.

A number of critical questions were posed in April by the hearings inspector Jonathan Bore, following his first sight of the draft document for part one of the local plan, which covers strategic policies and sites for the 10,000 new homes Waverley has estimated it needs by 2032 to meet government targets.

Local plans have to meet the local objectively assessed need for both market and affordable houses but Mr Bore considered Waverley’s housing figures, “based on older household projection figures”, were inadequate.

He also queried why allocating up to 2,600 houses at Dunsfold Aerodrome was justified, given the plan stated that most new development will be located around Godalming, Haslemere, Farnham and Cranleigh, “which have the best available access to jobs, services, housing and community facilities”.

Mr Bore asked why more housing land had not been allocated in Haslemere, Farnham and Godalming “in the interests of a sound sustainable development strategy”. He also queried if Cranleigh, which he described as “a considerably smaller town”, was a suitable location for the volume of growth proposed.

Waverley’s decision to defer most of its proposed green belt changes to meet housing need to part two of the plan, also came under fire.

“Does this approach provide enough certainty for local people and landowners,?” he asked.

“Does it act as an unnecessary impediment to timely housing delivery and can these sites be relied upon to contribute towards future housing delivery?”

Specific site allocations in Farnham, Milford and Cranleigh also fell short.

Mr Bore wanted more information on “practical measures” taken to mitigate the impact at Farnham’s Coxbridge Farm.

He considered part of the planning policy underpinning the town’s Green Lane, site “unsound”.

He also queried how 100 houses in addition to retail could be accommodated at The Woolmead, Farnham; and criticised the allocation of 180 houses opposite Milford Golf Club as “inconsistent”.

Welcoming Mr Bore at the start of proceedings on Tuesday morning, Waverley head of planning Liz Sims introduced her supporting team, which comprised Graham Parrott, planning policy manager, principal planning officers Matthew Ellis and Ian Motuel, barristers Wayne Beglan and Rob Williams from Cornerstone chambers and the council’s in-house legal team, Daniel Bainbridge, borough solicitor, and Lewis Jones, planning solicitor.

She said: “The submitted Local Plan is part one of a two-part Local Plan and it sets out the strategic policies and sites for the plan period 2013 to 2032.

“We believe the plan meets the tests of soundness, as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework. We look forward to robustly defending that position, particularly against the objections that have been made.

“Notwithstanding, the council wishes to engage positively in a process that ensures the plan is found sound and can proceed eventually to adoption so as to give a firm basis for planning decisions in the borough going forward, commensurate with the plan led system.

“Mr Bore, on this basis, the council makes a formal request to you, to recommend main modifications, such as are needed, to make the plan sound.

“A sound and up-to-date plan will allow us to more effectively provide for Waverley’s development needs while ensuring that development also protects or enhances the exceptionally attractive environmental quality of the borough.”

Cracking into action, Mr Bore called for a “statement of common ground” by the following day on the household projection figures to meet WBC’s objectively assessed need.

“I want to identify a starting point,” he said. “I’m concerned the projection does not pay due attention to 2014 figures. Go away and see if you can reach a figure on the starting point.

“I need that as a foundation to lead on to Waverley’s total housing requirement.”

Among the groups represented were Waverley Housing Forum, CPRE Surrey and a joint parish council team for Alfold, Bramley, Busbridge, Chiddingfold, Dunsfold, Hambledon, Loxwood, Plaistow and Ifold, Hascombe, Shalford and Wonersh.

The hearings continue today (Thursday) and next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The main areas covered are housing provision, changes to the green belt boundary and Dunsfold Aerodrome and the spatial strategy for the site.

nThe date for a public inquiry to determine an outline application for 1,800 houses at Dunsfold Park will start on July 18, lasting for an expected 12 days.

Campaign group Protect Our Waverley and the Joint Parishes Councils listed above will be represented by a barrister.

A POW spokesman said: “We very much look forward to there being an independent inquiry into this contentious planning application which can examine it in detail.

“We will be making our reasoned arguments with our strong team of advisers making the case why it should be refused.”

Waverley’s evidence to support its position and evidence submitted by other parties can be viewed at www.waverley.gov.uk – search for “Dunsfold Park new proposal”.