PLANNING UPDATED 25TH JULY 2024
The intention of this page is to direct you to a list of planning applications relevant to our area of Farnham, so that you are aware of them before they are discussed by Farnham Town Council and Waverley Planning.
Link to the Planning site www.waverley.gov.uk/Services/Planning-and-building/View-and-comment-on-planning-applications
WA/2023/01467 - PLANNING APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT ON LAND OFF OLD PARK LANE
UPDATED 25th JULY - ANOTHER EMAIL FROM ABBEY VIEW RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION - AVRA - SENT 23RD OF JULY TO WAVERLEY PLANNING COUNCILLORS - FULLY SUPPORTED BY NWRA AND OPLRA
Regarding the determination meeting reference WA/2023/01467 held at Waverley Council Chambers on 10th July 2024 to consider the outline planning application by Gleeson for access to and development of the Old Park Lane Site we wish to add the following comments for the record.
History and Result
Previously this application was allowed a full evening schedule to resolve it's outcome, allowing time for the policies to be fully reviewed and fully documented.
In retrospect this planning meeting was included with five other applicants on the night and the summing up left the public not understanding what final policies were included in the vote in favour of refusal.
The uncertainty was caused due to Cllr Alan Earwaker who seconded the refusal motion but then was refused permission to clarify the inclusion of Councillor David Beaman's 10 policies that the application was in breach of that were the reasons for refusal.
This was overridden as it was regarded as sub sequential to the vote of refusal but then a further reason for refusal regarding section106 was added after the vote for refusal.
Claire Upton-Brown clarified the main policies which had been identified as relevant to the proposed refusal vote, however due to the ensuing debates between Councillors it was agreed that at the next planning committee meeting these finer points would be clarified if they related to the main policy decision.
We therefore would appreciate being informed should any further updates be added resulting from the next meeting. Please can you confirm this will happen, as there is no reference to this in the minutes that have been issued.
Local Residents
Regardless of the late notice of the meeting and a change of date from the Waverley Web site
(which stated end of July) the residents of Abbey View, North West Farnham and Old Park Lane filled the public gallery in support of their objection to the access through Abbey View and to witness the refusal to this planning application by 11 votes in favour of refusal of the application and two against with no abstentions.
Clarification of Refusal
We list below those policies mentioned during the determination meeting by the various speakers and Councillors for your consideration, (taken from the transcript of the video of the meeting).
These were the policies and objections that our members understood would be incorporated into the minutes.
DM5.
FNP 1; FNP 10; FNP 12; FNP14, FNP 30;
NPPF 14; NPPF 56; NPPF 99; NPPF 135f; NPPF 173; NPPF 180.
I would also record that our public speaker Surrey County Councillor Catherine Powell mentioned many subjects of concern namely:- Drainage, SANG and infrastructure and we were surprised these were not mentioned when it came to listing the reasons and policies for refusal of the application. The issue of the inability to enforce the condition relating the maintenance of the orifices for the SUDs system, given that the proposed orifices are as small as 10mm and the developer has advised that orifices need to be at least 50mm in size to be maintainable to avoid flooding.
In our opinion all the above policies and reasons will be relevant if it comes to an appeal hearing and should therefore be listed in your minutes.
Trevor Free
For and on behalf of AVRA
John Willacy
For and on behalf of OPLRA
David King
For and on behalf of NWFRA
NWFRA EMAIL TO WAVERLEY COUNCILLORS 24th JULY
The NWFRA wish to make further comments to clarify certain points regarding Application WA/2023/01467
This application is for Outline application with all matters reserved except access for up to 83 dwellings (including 24 affordable) and public open space/country park including related play space community orchard wildlife pond internal access roads footways/footpaths and drainage basins/corridor.
This application was refused by the Planning Committee meeting held on 10TH July 2024
Access to the potential development site,off Crondall Lane and through the Abbey View estate was specifically addressed by Committee members Councillors Hesse and White and also by County Councillor Catherine Powell as a public speaker.
Therefore, please confirm that
outline permission for access only to the potential site for development
2 - hence the Committee's decision to refuse this application relates only to the outline application for proposed access to the potential development site
3- the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting should solely reflect the decision to refuse the outline application for access only and require appropriate amendment to record the application and the committee's decision
4- All other potential aspects (with exception of access only) of the project remain "reserved matters " which require a fresh and separate outline planning application - these aspects include (but are not limited to ) the principle, policy, practice, procedure and detail of development for "up to 83 dwellings (including 24 affordable) and public open space/country park including related play space community orchard wildlife pond internal access roads footways/footpaths and drainage basins/corridor"
5- the debate at the Planning Committee meeting, which included other potential aspects of the proposed development (other than access only ) cannot be construed as dealing with and/or deciding on the Planning Committee's decision to refuse the outline application and will not compromise/prejudice the Council's position in relation to any appeal against the Committee refusal and any future application(s) for "any reserved matters "
For and behalf of NWFRA
David King
Chairman NWFRA |
PREVIOUSLY 11TH JULY
WA/2023/01467 PLANNING APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT ON LAND OFF OLD PARK LANE IS REJECTED BY WAVERLEY PLANNING COMMITTEE!
HERE IS A COPY OF AN EMAIL FROM TREVOR FREE OF AVRA
Dear Everyone,
For those who were unable to attend the Waverley council chambers last night we had success in that 11 of the 13 Councillors on the planning committee deemed it was harmful to Abbey View and the existing fields and voted in favour of the proposal to reject the outline planning application on the grounds of harm.
There was some confusion as to the final wording and this was to be agreed today at the council meeting before issue of the minutes to ensure all the relevant issues were recorded but in essence we achieved our objective to fight another day.
We were well supported by the Farnham Town Councillors George Hesse, David Beaman and
Graham White who put forward their cases on behalf of the town and our local community and also to
SCC Catherine Powell who represented and spoke eloquently and forcefully on our behalf.
Many thanks for their contributions, time and efforts in achieving a good response from the planning committee.
To all those who have helped, thank you, the fight is not over and we need to be aware they will appeal but today we can celebrate, this is the first step in our goal to not allow access through our development.
Kind Regards Trevor
For and on behalf of AVRA
We at NWFRA support AVRA in their battle against this planning application
Here is a copy of The Farnham Herald article published on the 27th of June - reproduced by kind permission of The Farnham Herald.
WA/2023/01467
This development WA/2023/01467 was supposed to be submitted to the Waverley Planning Committee on the 8th of May but was withdrawn at the eleventh hour about concerns over a suitable SANG (Suitable Alternative Area of Natural Greenspace). The developers had submitted their SANG plans intending to use Farnham Park, however all the area there had been previously allocated. Added to this there are the grounds of the clear unsuitability of the land proposed as Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANGS) in Church Crookham There are also concerns about surface water drainage, bearing in mind that Abbey View has had major flooding problems and it is felt that the proposed development would not only have the same problems, but also exacerbate the existing Abbey View problems.
COXBRIDGE FARM WA/2024/00599 - SUBMISSION TO WAVERLEY PLANNING FROM NWFRA - 26/4/2024
SALIENT POINTS FROM THE NWFRA TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT FOR THE APPLICATION WA/2024/00599
On behalf of the North West Farnham Residents Association – NWFRA – we wish to make the following observations now that the submission of Reserved Matters has been made to Waverley Planning:
- The original plans which obtained Outline Planning approval have been substantially changed in the North West corner – namely adjoining Hazell Road. These new plans bear no resemblance to the plans that were shown at the Cala exhibition at the Farnham Museum in December 2023.
- Some 20 properties in the NW corner – opposite to numbers 4 to 34 Hazell Road and 1 Elkins Grove - have been turned through 90 degrees such as to place them adjacent to the site boundary. In their submission Cala Home suggested that this was with the approval of the residents of Hazell Road, however this is not the case as the relevant occupants of Hazell Road have been approached for their comments and no one gave such approval.
- This action has removed the long gardens which on the previous plan had introduced a reasonable distance between them and the properties in Hazell Road. We believe that this is a contravention of Policy FNP14g in the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan for this development which states "A sufficient green buffer must be provided to the rear of Hazell Road by way of long back gardens backing onto existing gardens to minimise visual and amenity impact on existing properties".
- The FNP is valid for 5 years and thus this proviso is still in force and cannot be changed in our opinion.
- Taking a quick look at the overall submitted plans of the 20th of March 2019 for Vivid Homes -the original developers - and the plans submitted on the 25th of March 2024 for Cala – the current developers – there is little resemblance between the two plans, which raises the point that should the whole development now be submitted for outline planning permission again?
- There is still no provision for a green corridor and talk of who would maintain it is nonsense, since this corridor would require minimal maintenance, long grass providing cover for mammals and snakes to move around. This simple action of providing a wildlife corridor is often ignored and our wildlife is the fastest declining in Europe as a result.
- No provision has been made for more schools or doctor's surgeries in the proposals, both desperately needed.
- The NWFRA strongly objects to the changes in the plans from the original ones in March 2019 to the ones in March 2024.
POTENTIAL PLANNING PROPOSAL FOR FIELDS ABOVE UCA - UPDATED 21st JUNE 2024
WA/2023/01467
This development WA/2023/01467 was supposed to be submitted to the Waverley Planning Committee on the 8th of May but was withdrawn at the eleventh hour about concerns over a suitable SANG (Suitable Alternative Area of Natural Greenspace). The developers had submitted their SANG plans intending to use Farnham Park, however all the area there had been previously allocated. Added to this there are the grounds of the clear unsuitability of the land proposed as Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANGS) in Church Crookham There are also concerns about surface water drainage, bearing in mind that Abbey View has had major flooding problems and it is felt that the proposed development would not only have the same problems, but also exacerbate the existing Abbey View problems.
PREVIOUSLY
There has been a great response to Trevor Free's Objection form which was handed in to the council - thanks to all who have signed up.
Here is a link to an objection from John Willacy of OPLRA on the Waverley Planning Website - which is very comprehensive.
https://planning360.waverley.gov.uk:4443/civica/Resource/Civica/Handler.ashx/Doc/pagestream?cd=inline&pdf=true&docno=9036026
Trevor Free of the Abbey View Residents Association (AVRA) has been very active in regards to this proposal to widen roads with Abbey view in order to accommodate the construction vehicles - please see his objections here.
Residents Objection Form-Landscape-17-02-2024-MASTER.pdf
If you feel that you would like to add your name to the attached Objection Form, please let us know via the "Contact Us" above.
Waverley Planning References WA/2023/01467 and SC/2023/01442
THESE ARE THE TWO WAVERLEY PLANNING REFERENCES THAT APPLY TO THIS POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
THIS DUE TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE WAVERLEY PLANNING MEETING AT A DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED IN MAY
PREVIOUSLY
THE OLD PARK LANE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (OPLRA), TOGETHER WITH THE ABBEY VIEW RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (AVRA) HAVE JOINED WITH THE NWFRA ON A CONCERTED EFFORT TO STOP THIS APPLICATION. ALL THREE ASSOCIATIONS HAVE EMAILED JEREMY HUNT WITH COMPREHENSIVE OBJECTIONS TO THIS PLAN. THE ACCESS VIA OLD PARK LANE HAS SINCE BEEN REJECTED BY WAVERLEY PLANNING..
GLEESON STATEGIC LAND HAD SENT OUT A PUBLIC CONSULATION DOCUMENT ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC TO RESPOND BY THE 23rd OF MAY - THIS IS PRIOR TO THEM APPLYING FOR OUTLINE PLANNING PERMISSION TO WAVERLEY PLANNING. NWFRA ARE ADVISING THAT EVERYONE SHOULD OBJECT OF THE GROUNDS THAT IT FALLS OUTSIDE OF THE FARNHAM TOWN BUILT UP AREA BOUNDARY.
HERE IS THE LINK - contact@
PREVIOUSLY - Towards the end of 2018 a company called Gleeson Strategic Land was added to the title deeds of land part owned and farmed by Mr. Harvey Rivers, as well as the remaining UCA fields that are not part of the Abbey View development. There has been surveying activity on this land and surrounding areas, as well as an approach to third party to sell a strip of land to enable a road entrance into Castle Hill (which the owner refused to sell) and a request to survey ponds just north of the UCA Fields. All this activity could be the precursor to a planning application being made. Perhaps the only saving grace is that it falls outside of the Farnham Town Boundary and (should) be protected under the Neighbourhood Plan we think. We will continue to monitor the situation, but if anyone has any more input, we would love to hear from you.
UPDATED AUGUST 2023 - COXBRIDGE FARM - WA/2019/0770 - Permission granted for 320 houses
NOTHING MORE TO REPORT ACCORDING TO THE WAVERLEY PLANNING SITE SINCE JUNE 2023 AS AT 13TH NOVEMBER
FIRST SCHEDULE
Outline Application with all matters reserved except access for the erection of 320 dwellings (including 96 affordable) with associated landscaping, public open space and infrastructure (as amended by plans received 02.02.2021 and 12.02.2021).
SECOND SCHEDULE
There are onerous conditions in this schedule - too many to mention here - but here is a link to the relevant Waverley Planning site page..
https://planning360.waverley.gov.uk:4443/civica/Resource/Civica/Handler.ashx/Doc/pagestream?cd=inline&pdf=true&docno=8845905
Updated Oct 28th - No further action has taken place - KNOWLE FARM - WA/2020/1323 - Status as at August 2023 - Erection of stables and store buildings and regrading of land
The applicant wants to do this work, but has met with strong opposition on many fronts - Farnham Society, Surrey Wildlife Trust as well as the NWFRA, plus Old Park Lane Resident's Association and many local residents, even after submitting another revised set of plans in recent months....
Planning Application WA/2022/00706
44 BEAVERS ROAD FARNHAM GU9 7BD
Erection of extensions and alterations and erection of detached garage following demolition of existing garage.
There was strong local opposition to these works, however the Conditions were Discharged & this commenced last week and is being monitored by Planning Control at Waverley Planning.
NEW: TM/2023/02401 November 2023
WORK ON OAK TREE IN BEAVERS ROAD/POTTERS GATE SCHOOL
Reduce and reshape by approximately 3 metres all round 1 mature Red Oak - giving a finished radius of between 7 and 9 metres and a finished height of approximately 17 metres. Lift low branches to approximately 5.5 metres from ground level over the road to statutory height. Remove dead wood down to 25mm or 1 metre in length.
THIS LINK will take you to the Waverley Borough Council online planning application enquiry page.
If you have any questions relating to planning you can of course contact your local Town Councillors.
Alternatively, you can use our "Links" page to access the general Waverley planning site.