The Planning Inspectorate has shut down plans for the controversial Haslemere residential development off Midhurst Road.
Developer Redwood (South West) Limited has faced strong objections from local residents and organisations. Including the Town Council and the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) for its proposals to build on the town’s precious countryside.
The Inspectorate cited “fundamental and serious harm to the “Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.” The decision also addressed various procedural issues that occurred at the public inquiry and certain questions about the impartiality of the process that were previously reported on in The Herald.
The planning application sought to construct up to 110 dwellings in the Surrey Hills AONB and involved building on protected pastures and ruining the rural nature of the ‘sunken lane’ that is the A286 or Midhurst Road with its distinctive canopy of trees.
Many mature and ‘notable’ or ‘veteran’ trees would have been felled. The inspector considered it significant that they were protected under a tree preservation order and were integral to the landscape’s character. Whereas, the developer had merely spoken about “changing” the enclosed character of the rural entrance to Haslemere.
One consequence of the decision is that it appears to effectively rule out any future planning application that involves fewer houses. Because the access requirements for any development along Midhurst Road would require the same actions.
It was also considered if “exceptional circumstances” existed to warrant giving permission for such a major development. The inspector went into great detail as to why no such exceptional circumstances had been demonstrated by the developer.
He said: “Even in the absence of a 5 year housing land supply development plan policies do not cease to exist.”
In his decision, the inspector recognised that the developer was offering new facilities for Haslemere Scouts and Grayswood Forest School. However, these had no beneficial impact on the scheme’s damage to the countryside, rather they “would intrinsically reduce tranquillity.” He also confirmed that the developer’s offer of allotments had no value in planning terms.
The Haslemere South Residents’ Association (HSRA) which, represents around 280 local residents, has been vocal in their opposition. Highlighting the development’s negative impacts in terms of not only the landscape and ecology, but also local infrastructure and road safety.
At the end of the day, the inspector decided that it would not be in the public interest to damage the landscape so drastically, even if there would be some benefits in terms of housing provision.
A HSRA representative HSRA said: “The Planning Inspectorate’s decision to dismiss the appeal serves as a victory for the community. Ensuring that the unique landscape and ecological integrity of the Surrey Hills AONB will be preserved.
“It sends a clear message to developers that the principle of the preservation of the natural beauty and heritage of our countryside, reflected in Haslemere’s Neighbourhood Plan, can outweigh the purported benefits of any proposed development.”
For more information about the decision, visit https://tinyurl.com/Midhurst-Road-Decision