There is much activity going on behind the scenes which could adversely affect our beloved town forever. The Government is determined to deliver impossible numbers of houses, and Waverley Borough Council is slowly putting together a new Local Plan, which will decide where many of these new houses will be built.

Farnham must ensure that it plays a major role in this important decision. Residents’ associations, community groups, sports clubs, history societies, conservation groups, schools, churches, businesses and individuals could all be pivotal in determining the future of our town.

Waverley Borough Council is currently running an “Issues and Options” consultation, which will end on Sunday, December 8. The consultation document contains information about the landscape constraints on development within the borough and the possible areas that could take large numbers of houses.

Farnham will be one of the areas targeted for thousands more homes, and we must act together to minimise the effect of inappropriate development in and around the town. In the absence of both an updated Local Plan and five years’ supply of housing land, and with no sign of a Farnham Neighbourhood Plan review, the town is largely unprotected in planning terms at present.

We must act now to define and defend the distinctive character of every part of our town, to incentivise and shape development on brownfield sites, and to protect and enhance our precious green spaces and wildlife corridors.

There are numerous questions in the consultation document on a wide range of issues, but you need answer only those that you feel are important to Farnham. Between us, we should cover all important topics and paint a detailed picture of the town we would like to see in the future.

Please get involved and have your say. Whether your interest lies in spatial strategy, architecture and design, heritage buildings, ancient woodland, biodiversity and nature recovery, or lack of infrastructure, it is important that your opinion is heard.

Please don’t assume that the change to unitary councils will render the new Local Plan irrelevant. Despite the fact that Waverley will disappear in 2027, the new authority will use the updated Local Plan to make planning decisions in our town for many years to come. Let’s make sure that Farnham’s views are clearly represented — and let’s respond in great numbers. It has never been more important for us all to speak up for our town!

Cllr Carole Cockburn BEM is a Waverley Borough Councillor for Farnham Bourne and Deputy Leader of the Principal Opposition Group.