A KEY question localism group Haslemere Vision will ask people is if they think housing should be prioritised over employment space, when it goes out to public consultation next Monday.

Trying to satisfy the rising demand for new homes is a key issue facing the

community and the scale of the problem has been fuelled by the growth in

population. Since 1980, the town has grown faster than at any previous time,

including the increase in numbers triggered by the opening of the London to

Portsmouth railway in 1859.

But a large majority of those responding to Haslemere Vision’s previous

public consultation last summer, were keen to maintain the amount of

land used for employment, rather than designate it all for new homes.

This poses a problem, because virtually the only major sites available for

housing in the town are currently brownfield sites, or were previously

used for commerce or industry.

Each of the sites will be included in the consultation, including Barons

BMW and Mini dealership at Hindhead, and the boarded-up site from numbers

5-21 at Wey Hill.

Although some of these sites already have planning approval for housing or

a mixed development, Haslemere Vision wants residents’ views on the

nature and mix of development that is being proposed.

The change in local land usage over time largely reflects the general contraction of industry space across the UK but, because of other pressures in

Haslemere, the town now has less vacant space available for industry than

other towns in the borough, according to a recent survey for Waverley.

A decline in local employment seems to be a growing trend, particularly

on the high street.

The growing popularity of online shopping and the expansion of big

regional shopping centres will continue to change the shape of traditional town

centres, the group believes.

The recent announcement that Barclays bank in Haslemere is to close is

evidence of the competitive forces at work. But it is not all one-way traffic,

as evidenced by the announcement that Marks & Spencer is opening a new

branch in Wey Hill.

While it may be prudent not to lose any more land used for employment

purposes, the first-floor space of some retail-designated properties which have little commercial value, could be freed up and converted into small flats.

Also, allowing some large units to be sub-divided could provide a launch pad

for new enterprises to expand, it says.

Haslemere boasts a greater reservoir of new businesses than many places in

the UK. The 2011 Census recorded that 17 per cent of the town’s workforce

were based at home – substantially higher than the national average.

Many of them may be creating their own enterprises and, given the right

incentives, may provide the seed corn for the future.

“The future for Haslemere is in our hands and despite uncertainties, it looks good,” said Haslemere Vision chairman Stewart Brown.

“Have your say by responding to the Haslemere Vision consultation document

you will receive shortly.

“What you say will be taken into account when preparing the Neighbourhood

Plan for Haslemere and surrounding communities Shottermill, Critchmere, Beacon Hill, Hindhead and Grayswood. It’s our town and our villages and it’s up to us.

“The Neighbourhood Plan will be published for public comment next year and will then be put to a local referendum.

“If a majority vote yes, the policies can influence planning decisions from

then onwards.”