The ÒsweetenerÓ to be spent in the community could allow developers to hand over a cash sum in exchange for planning permission.
Members of WaverleyÕs southern area development control sub-committee agreed to discuss how much money would be ÒappropriateÓ for the land behind closed doors after their meeting last week.
The discussion came after Pheonix Land Development offered the council an ÒunacceptableÓ £20,000 sum for the Grayswood Road site, which covers more than one-third of an acre.
The developers are proposing to build a terrace of eight houses with associated garages on the plot.
The plan to build homes on the site has already come under fire from Haslemere town councillors who have objected to the application on the grounds of overdevelopment.
When the sub-committee members discussed the proposals in public, before pushing the application out of the publicÕs view, it was agreed the £20,000 sum was a Ònot competitiveÓ offer.
Town and borough councillor Jacquie Keen told the meeting: ÒI do not believe it was a good idea to stop using that ambulance station. If it could be reverted back to its former use I would be much happier.Ó
Cllr Keen added that because the ambulances were now stationed in the car park of Haslemere Hospital, parking problems for patients, doctors, and visitors had become Òmuch worseÓ.
But sub-committee chairman Ann Mugford commented that Waverley did not have the power as a council to move the ambulances to their former site.
The leader of Waverley Borough Council, David Harmer, urged the sub-committee to be cautious in making any agreements with developers, and said the £20,000 offer was Òtotally unacceptableÓ.
ÒIf we were to make a deal, we would have to make a legally binding agreement stating the minimum amount we are prepared to accept for the site, otherwise the developers could get away with giving us whatever sum they choose,Ó he said.
Concerns about how the sum should be distributed among the community in Haslemere were raised by Jean Mansley. ÒWe must make sure that if we do accept any money from the developers it is put to the best use for people in Haslemere. There are many worthy causes in our community, and there is also the possibility the sum could be used to build ÔaffordableÕ homes in the town.Ó
Waverley planning officer John Anderson agreed he would look into starting negotiations with the developers. The target amount for the offer will remain a secret.