MORE than 200 visitors attended a public consultation event at Scotland Park to view proposals for up to 180 new homes in the area of outstanding natural beauty.

Part of Red Court estate in Scotland Lane, Haslemere, has been allocated for 50 houses in Waverley Borough Council’s draft Local Plant Part Two.

Redwood developers are now seeking to increase the site allocation by a further 128 homes on 75 acres the company owns, which adjoins the manor house and immediate grounds.

Waverley will identify specific locations for housing later this year following further consultations.

Redwood held a public consultation on Thursday last week, Friday and Saturday with a display of the proposals and team members on hand to answer questions.

Visitors could also take guided tours to see where 50 homes are proposed with an access onto Scotland Lane, and where up to 180 houses could be built with an access off the Midhurst Road.

Thursday’s open day was international outdoor classroom day and Rogate-based Artizans of Wood created stools for young visitors.

If its plans – not yet submitted – are approved, Redwood will gift 18 acres each to 1st Haslemere Scouts and Grayswood Nursery and Forest School and part fund a new scout hall and outdoor classroom.

But eight Haslemere schools distanced themselves from the consultation, after they were described by Redwood in a letter circulated to councillors and businesses as having all ‘expressed their support for this scheme’.

Redwood apologised, after Haslemere Confederation of Schools wrote to the Herald (see Page 25) to say: ‘This is not the case and in fact the local schools made a clear decision to remain neutral regarding the project.’

Feedback was invited at the pre-application consultation and Redwood will take it on board when finalising the scheme.

The larger plan includes 54 affordable homes, including eight that could be donated to Haslemere Community Land Trust (CLT).

Redwood project manager Brian Cox said: “We received serious concerns about the cost of affordable homes. But CLT properties are even more affordable, and they are only available to people with housing need in Haslemere.

“Scotland Park could be the first local CLT homes to materialise since the Government provided funding in 2014.”

* To give feedback, visit scotlandpark.com.