A PUBLIC inquiry to determine the future of the former Haslemere Prep School building The Heights will get under way on April 27.

Applicant Twist Heights Limited has five times attempted to push through plans to develop The Heights since 2008, and five times has been rejected by Waverley Borough Council.

It has since appealed to the secretary of state to overturn all five refusals, and these will now be considered “independently, but within the same inquiry” later this month, the council has confirmed.

The appeal schemes are as follows:

* WA/2020/0029 – Erection of 22 dwellings following demolition of former school buildings and dwelling, refused at committee on August 27, 2020;

* WA/2018/1771 – Erection of 25 new dwellings, including four ‘affordable’, following demolition of existing school buildings including the headmaster’s house, new vehicular accesses and associated works, refused by planning officers on February 4, 2019;

* WA/2019/1026 – Erection of 20 dwellings, including four affordable, following demolition of the school buildings and headmaster’s house, refused by officers on October 17, 2019;

* WA/2019/1135 – Erection of four dwellings, refused by officers on November 11, 2019;

* WA/2019/1837 – Display of non-illuminated signs on hoardings and gates, refused by officers on February 18, 2020.

The ‘virtual’ inquiry will get under way at 10am on April 27, led by Inspector Owen Woodwards via Microsoft Teams, and is expected to last for four days.

Anyone wishing to attend should email the case officer [email protected] or call 0303 444 5384.

The appeal documents are available for viewing at www.waverley.gov.uk