146 homes at Land West OF AND Opposite OLD Compton Lane Waverley Lane Farnham Approval of reserved matters (appearance landscaping

What was proposed

The application sought reserved matters approval for 146 homes, open space, an onsite SANG, landscaping, accesses and several condition details.

“WA/2025/01270 – Approval of reserved matters (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) following outline permission granted under appeal reference APP/R3650/W/22/3311941 (original reference: WA/2022/01621) for the erection of 146 dwellings (including 37% affordable housing); public open space, detailed design of onsite SANG, landscaping infrastructure and new vehicular accesses; discharge of some pre- commencement and other conditions, namely Conditions: 8, 10, 21, 23, 24.”

“Approval of reserved matters (comprising appearance, landscaping layout and scale) is sought following the outline permission granted under appeal reference APP/R3650/W/22/3311941 (original reference: WA/2022/01621) for the erection of up to 146 dwellings (including 37% affordable housing); public open space, detailed design of onsite SANG, landscaping infrastructure and new vehicular accesses; discharge of some pre-commencement and other conditions, namely Conditions: 8,…”

Officer report

The site

The 12.17-hectare site has northern and southern sections on either side of Waverley Lane, including fields, trees and hedgerows.

“The appeal is site is located on the south eastern side of Farnham with the application site divided into a north and south section on either side of Waverley Lane with a total area of 12.17ha.”

“The southern parcel covers approximately 7.75 hectares and comprises two fields: the central field and the southern field. The central field extends to around 3.04 hectares, while the southern field measures approximately 4.71 hectares. Both fields are undulating in character, with the land in the southern field sloping down towards the Bourne Stream along its southern and eastern boundaries.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, finding the layout, scale, appearance and landscaping acceptable and identifying significant housing and affordable housing benefits.

“Given the approval of the outline application APP/R3650/W/22/3311941 (original reference: WA/2022/01621) and the signed Section 106 legal agreement, the details of the proposed residential scheme are acceptable in terms of layout, scale, appearance and landscaping.”

“That, the Reserved Matters be APPROVED; and details pursuant to Conditions 8, 21, 23, and 24 which were imposed on APP/R3650/W/22/3311941 (original reference: WA/2022/01621) be approved subject to the following conditions:”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Several consultees had no objection, while others requested conditions or raised concerns about SANG management, biodiversity, footpaths, hedges and archaeology.

“Objection raised over the lack of named SANG management company…”

“Objection - Concern raised over interaction between SANG and PROW – addressed in section 11 below.”

Officer report

What people said

Objections concerned overdevelopment, design, hedgerow loss, parking, biodiversity, traffic, drainage, flooding, infrastructure, privacy, noise and the development’s height.

“Incompatible use of land for land reserved for the drainage of a private septic tank. ● Pump station located on the edge of the proposed development close to neighbouring properties. ● Loss of green corridor ● Loss of habitats ● Excessive density ● Excessive building heights. ● Failure to adhere to Farnham Design Statement. ● Out of character with the surrounding area. ● Inconsistency with the outline approval. ● Number of dwellings needs to be reduced.”

“Inadequate parking for residents and visitors of the proposed development ● Proposed trees planted would be too immature. ● Negative impact on traffic along Waverley Lane. ● Proposed pipeworks abuts ancient woodland. ● Impact of ‘tapping in’ to existing pipework for local residents. ● Disturbance of neighbours from noise, odour, environmental disturbance ● Poor siting of essential infrastructure (sewage pumping station). ● Unsatisfactory treatment of surface water.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Three objectors, one supporter and four ward councillors spoke at the committee meeting.

Committee debate

After debate, members proposed two additional conditions concerning planting around the pump station and odour monitoring.

“Notwithstanding the details of the approved landscaping scheme, additional planting shall be carried out adjacent to the perimeter fencing around the proposed pump station as shown on the layout contained within Appendix 1 of technical note BR31318-JNP-92-XX-RP-C-1014.”

“Prior to the first occupation of any dwelling on the site, details of the proposed odour monitoring for the proposed pumping station hereby approved including location of monitoring, type of monitoring, commencement and completion dates of monitoring/length of monitoring period and details of when and how the results of monitoring will be reported to the LPA shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the LPA.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee voted unanimously in favour of the officers’ recommendation, with 10 members voting for it.

“Following debate, two additional conditions were proposed in line with the officer recommendation that delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director of Planning to APPROVED subject to conditions including any minor changes to the wording and the details pursuant to the stated conditions be also approved. The Committee voted unanimously in favour of the officers recommendation to grant permission 10 in favour.”

Minutes