CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a mini-retirement village in Hindhead have been given the thumbs down by Haslemere town councillors. Members of the town council's planning and highways committee discussed the application to build eight houses and 12 flats after demolishing the existing house at Hatherleigh, Tower Road at last Thursday's meeting. Tower Road and Pine Bank residents have already expressed grave fears the character of Hindhead could be "lost" if the proposed development is approved by Waverley Borough Council. At last week's meeting town councillor Bill Douglas said he was aware of several residents living near the site of the proposed development who had written to Waverley Borough Council with "concerns in a number of areas". Mr Douglas said these concerns included the development "changing the nature of the site", the danger of additional traffic on a road that is already used as a "rat run" and the overall detrimental effect on the area. Committee member Fay Foster said the plans would set a precedent in the area and deputy mayor William King said the development would have a negative impact. Mrs Foster also said the proposed retirement complex should be near shops and argued its location was "hopeless" for those without cars. Mr Douglas agreed that old people living at the proposed development would need cars but reminded committee members that traffic on Tower Road was "tremendously dangerous". Town councillors agreed to object to the proposals on the grounds of the loss of amenity for adjacent residents and the increase in traffic on Tower Road which "is already used as a rat run". The scheme has already led to a storm of protest from Hindhead residents, particularly over the possible increase in traffic. Mike Hopkins, of Pine Bank, said he was concerned about the possible "increase in the already dangerous road traffic on Tower Road" and also expressed fears over the preservation of trees on the site. In a letter of objection to Waverley Borough Council a Tower Road couple argue there is already "too much traffic" on the "quiet residential road with family homes". They express concerns over traffic and noise on the road if the application was successful and the impact this could have on the value of their house. William Cage, of Tower Road, objects to the application on the grounds that "a single, existing character property could be replaced by 20 new dwellings of questionable design. "The resulting increase in traffic in an already dangerous and busy road is not acceptable, especially given that access is likely to be close to a blind corner". In a letter Peter Anderson-Edward, of Pine Bank, said: "This represents overdevelopment of the site. The traffic situation in Tower Road cannot possibly take the increase volume of cars this development will produce". Another Pine Bank resident objected to the plans because "this is a lovely family home which is going to be demolished in an area that is becoming overridden with development. The character of Hindhead is going to be lost if these developments continue". Earlier this month a Waverley Borough Council told The Herald the application would go through the normal planning process, despite borough councillors recently agreeing a 'planning statement' for Hindhead The 'Interim Planning Statement for Hindhead' document was prepared by Waverley Borough Council to act as a brief for developers making applications in the Hindhead Crossroads area before the new A3 tunnel opens. Last month the statement was agreed by the council's development management committee. The document was created after repeated calls for a scheme to manage the future development of Hindhead, as work on the £371 million A3 tunnel Scheme begins. The document has been designed to "manage expectations and to assist developers" by provided them with a "framework for decision making". The Waverley Borough Council spokesman told The Herald the Hatherleigh application "would not have an impact on the principles and aims of the 'Interim Planning Statement' as it is a residential development in a residential area and outside of the zone designated in the statement". A long-term strategy for the area is currently being developed by the Hindhead Together group, which includes representatives from organisations including the National Trust, Waverley Borough Council and Surrey County Council. The group will eventually produce a 'Vision and Plan' for the area, which is expected to be available in around two years time and will involve considerable public consultation. The final decision on the Hatherleigh application will be taken by Waverley Borough Council.