BUYERS of the Farnham police station site immediately lodged a planning appeal this week, after council officers refused their redevelopment plans without putting them before councillors.

Churchill Retirement Living, which exchanged contracts to buy the redundant 1960s building last month, wants to demolish it and build a sheltered housing complex of 50 apartments for the elderly.

In a statement on Tuesday it described the officers' refusal of consent under delegated powers as "hasty", adding: "Taxpayers' money is now at risk through a costly appeal process if a Government inspector finds the officers' decision is flawed."

For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.