THE ‘Strategic Gap’ between Farnham and Aldershot is to be reviewed in the second part of Waverley’s blueprint for future development, which has now gone out to consultation

A policy restricting development in the countryside between Farnham and Aldershot was first included in the borough’s 1993 Local Plan, which recognised that the area was vulnerable to pressure for development, and has since played a key role in preventing the coalescence of the two towns.

However, while the council has been successful in preventing development in the northern area of the gap, it admits it has been less successful in the area to the east around Badshot Lea and so has resolved to redefine a more “focused” boundary of the designated gap area.

Waverley residents are now being asked for their views on what that ‘focussed’ boundary should be - online at www.waverley.gov.uk/LPP2 or at locality offices and public libraries across the borough.

The consultation is also asking for views on a potential extension of the existing Willows gypsy site in Runfold - with the landowner suggesting the site could yield up to 10 gypsy pitches, with a possible expansion further eastwards.

It proposes a new employment site on land off Water Lane, Farnham, and asks for views on the future growth of Farnham town centre - including how to meet the identified need for an additional 12,182 square metres of retail floorspace by 2028.

The document includes a raft of potential new housing sites in the Dunsfold, Godalming and Haslemere areas - but excludes Farnham and Elstead thanks to the progress of each area’s respective Neighbourhood Plans, which have already allocated sites for housing.

Residents are, however, asked what types of development are acceptable in the countryside beyond the green belt and outside established settlement boundaries to help Waverley meet its hefty housing target.

The document states: “It has been acknowledged in the local plan part one that it is not possible to meet the borough’s housing needs in full within the existing settlement boundaries.

“Therefore there is a need to reconsider the boundaries of those settlements where the required housing cannot be accommodated.”

The decision to put the second and final stage of Waverley’s new local plan out for consultation until July 24, was reached by members of Waverley’s executive committee on Tuesday, June 6, despite a protest from an opposition councillor.

Farnham Residents member Jerry Hyman objected: “This is not fit for purpose. Given the number of outstanding issues it would be pointless to proceeding a waste of public time and money.”

A public inquiry starts at Waverley offices on Tuesday, June 27, to examine if the first part of Waverley’s draft local plan to build around 10,000 new homes by 2032, is sound.

But there are now fears it could be scuppered, because a cornerstone of the plan is to build 2,600 homes at Dunsfold Aerodrome to meet Waverley’s increased housing target, and the borough council’s decision to grant outline consent for an initial 1,800 houses at the airfield is now subject to a judicial review and a planning inquiry, both of which will take place in July.

The planning inspector, Jonathan Bore, has already raised concern in written questions to Waverley about the lack of supporting evidence in the borough’s part one ‘core strategy’ to underpin proposals to release green belt land to help it meet its increased housing target.

The inspector is also critical of Waverley’s decision to deal with proposals to remove protective landscape designations in part two of the draft local plan, which is not due to be submitted for examination until July 2018.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Waverley’s executive also agreed a preliminary draft charging schedule for the contributions it will collect from developers towards infrastructure projects.

Mr Hyman objected this document was also premature as Waverley did not have sufficient supporting evidence.

But Waverley leader and Upper Hale councillor Julia Potts said: “We all agree we need to start to move forward to ensure we implement the community infrastructure levy.

“We desperately need as much revenue as possible to improve infrastructure in our borough.”

The executive also agreed to grant Waverley planning officers more powers of delegation to determine applications, although former council leader Robert Knowles opposed the move, describing it as “a retrograde step”.

Previously, officers were unable to grant planning consent under delegated powers for applications of more than one house. Following the decision, officers will be able to approve planning applications by themselves to build up to 24 houses.

If borough councillors want to bring an application to a planning committee, they will have to notify officers within 21 days.

Speaking after the meeting, Haslemere councillor Stephen Mulliner said the decision was not irreversible. “We can always change it back if we don’t like it,” he said. “This will redouble our level of scrutiny and also redouble the importance of members of the public with concerns getting in touch with us.

“I don’t think it’s intended to reduce our role, but I will be making sure it doesn’t.”