OUTLINE plans to build 50 retirement homes in Hindhead have kicked up a stink – literally.

The plan has triggered more than 40 objections, including representations from Haslemere Town Council and the Haslemere Society, with many voicing concern it will exacerbate the “regular sewer flooding” in the area.

Concerned residents of Moorlands Close wrote a joint letter copied to Haslemere’s Tory MP Jeremy Hunt, and town and borough councillors, to protest the sewers can’t cope with any more new homes.

“We have had regular sewer flooding here in Moorlands Close, in the most recent years on 10 occasions alone between 2011 and January 2016 and then a further 10 or so times when Thames Water have had teams out here flushing and clearing blockages,” they wrote.

“In 2009, Thames Water sent a letter to Waverley Borough Council, stating there was insufficient capacity for the development proposed by Bewley for 21 houses also the Signature’s care home for approximately 102 beds.

“However this development still went ahead and connected to our sewer pipes, which is why we have even more flooding than we had before. Now with another large development for 50 apartments and cottages the problem will only get worse if they connect to our system.

“We are about to start the process of seeking recompense for the constant repeat of overflowing sewerage affecting our properties. This will only get worse if any more waste water is added to the very narrow pipes that run through here, hence getting blocked more frequently.

“Our MP Jeremy Hunt had to be involved when we were not getting satisfaction from Thames Water. They have since put in much more effort.”

Urging the plan should be approved in its supporting design and access statement, Renaissance Retirement said: “The proposal will provide much needed homes suitable for the needs of small elderly households. This in turn will enable existing under-occupied housing to be released, providing wider benefits to the housing stock.”

Haslemere Town Council has recommended the plan be refused as “far too overbearing” with too few parking spaces. It urged Waverley if planning permission was granted, to impose a condition that the sewer/waste water network must be upgraded before any development takes place – or for the proposed development to discharge into private sewers.

Lodging a strong objection, Haslemere Society vice-chairman John Greer wrote: “Several letters of objection have referred to the current dire drainage problems in this area.

“There appear to be serious current problems with the foul sewerage system but this application does not indicate whether the existing sewer has the capacity to cope with the increased discharges from the 50 new housing units or indeed investigate the condition of the existing sewer.”