FRESH concerns have been expressed about a proposed 43-home development at Baker Oates Stables in Gardener’s Hill Road this week, and specifically its impact on neighbouring homes and roads.

A government inspector granted outline planning permission for the controversial scheme on appeal last December - overturning Waverley Borough Council’s refusal of planning consent and flying in the face of the 184 people who objected to the application.

However, the developer CALA Homes must still gain Waverley’s approval for several key ‘reserved matters’ including the development’s appearance, landscaping, layout and scale - and its detailed application is currently pending a decision by the planning authority.

This reveals a mix of 26 two to five-bedroom full market value houses on the six-acre densely wooded greenfield site, as well as ten two to three-bedroom ‘affordable’ houses and an apartment block of six one-bedroom ‘affordable’ flats.

These affordable homes will be available for either a reduced market rent or under shared ownership.

The public have another opportunity to comment on the plans before a deadline of August 19 and to date 28 people have raised objections compared to none in support.

Concerns still focus on highway safety and specifically CALA Homes’ proposal to paint a ‘pedestrian strip’ in lieu of a pavement in Gardeners Hill Road - previously described as “life threatening” by councillors - as well as its drainage, sewage disposal and distance from local amenities.

However, new fears have been raised directly in response to the new application, including the proximity of some of the new homes to existing dwellings.

John Ward, the Mayor of Farnham and town councillor for Shortheath and Boundstone, has raised the concerns of residents in a letter to Waverley’s new head of planning Elizabeth Sims.

He said: “I have been contacted by a number of my residents who are very concerned about this application as the so-called ‘reserved matters’ application seems to be significantly different to the original, which gained approval on appeal.

“A number of the buildings have been moved from their original locations to put them much closer, hence overlooking, the established houses in Birch Close.

The idea that there is a ‘buffer zone’ between their gardens and the proposed development seems to rely on parts of their gardens being designated as ‘agricultural land’ which, when one views the area, is very strange.

“They remain bemused that the outline permission was ever granted in view of the highly dangerous situation more traffic; motorised or pedestrian; will create. Having attended an organised site visit, I clearly remember councillors jumping onto the steep grass verge when speeding cars suddenly appeared.

“The idea that some coloured paint on the road will achieve ‘segregation’ is frankly ridiculous and my residents are fearful that there will be an accident resulting in serious injury; possibly to a child; right outside their homes.

“I would urge you to recommend to the committee that this application be refused.”

Farnham Town Council also “strongly objects” to the new application - criticising the development’s design as “out of keeping” with the character of the area and pointing to “stark differences” between the appearance of affordable homes and full market value homes.

In a design and access statement accompanying its application, CALA Homes, which recently acquired the development brief from Focus Homes, said the new layout of homes will help provide a “more deliverable scheme”, while larger gardens will provide a “greater landscape buffer” to neighbouring homes in Birch Close.

On the homes’ appearance, CALA Homes added: “All the proposed dwellings are no more than two storey and are designed to reflect the rural location of the site with red stock brick being the predominant material.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

Waverley has set a target date of August 22 to determine Focus Homes’ detailed application. To view or comment on the plans, visit the website www.waverley.gov.uk/planning and search for reference WA/2016/1234.