A PLANNING application for 65 new homes on land adjacent to Bells Piece Care Home on Hale Road, Farnham, has been rejected by Waverley Borough Council.

The hybrid application sought permission for the development of 65 residential units on the southern half of the site, and full permission for the change of use of the northern part of the site to provide associated SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace) with links to Farnham Park and the provision of a public car park.

Seventy-seven letters had been received, with a total of 72 objecting, two supporting and three providing comment.

It was recommended to councillors that permission be refused subject to a number of conditions and reasons, including that the proposal “as a result of the number of houses, density and its poor relationship with the settlement boundary, would cause material harm to the intrinsic character, beauty and openness of the countryside, due to its urbanising impact and harm to the landscape character”.

Other reasons included the failure to provide a Locally Equipped Area of Play, and insufficient evidence was provided to “demonstrate that a development of the number and density of dwellings proposed can be provided without resulting in a cramped and crowded layout”.

Farnham Town Council strongly objected on the grounds that “the site is not included in either the Local Plan or Neighbourhood Plan and is outside the Built Up Area Boundary”. And that “there would be significant impact on traffic and infrastructure arising from access to and from the site”.

Town councillors also pointed that the development would have an adverse impact on the coalescence of settlements filling in the green gap between Farnham and Hale. It would also close off the green vista through to Farnham Park.

Although Surrey Wildlife Trust had no objections to the proposal, Natural England objected on the grounds that further information is required.