THERE was division in the Conservative ranks at Waverley's full council meeting on Tuesday night when members were asked to agree that the core strategy 15-year planning blueprint should be suspended for an urgent rethink on housing numbers.

Planning inspector Michael Hetherington halted his examination of the key document to shape the future of the borough on the first day of hearings due to "substantial" concerns that the 230 new homes per year proposed was too low.

Mr Hetherington gave Waverley the option to withdraw the Core Strategy plan and start again or suspend the examination and provide an up-to-date housing neeeds assessment, but he advised suspension was a risky option as it could fail when re-presented.

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