Boundary fence and gate at 21 Ball And Wicket Lane, Farnham
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Waverley Planning Committee on 9 Jul 2025.
What was proposed
The application sought retrospective permission to retain a boundary fence and gate after removing the existing fence.
“WA/2025/00787 – Erection of a boundary fence and gate with associated works following removal of existing fence (retrospective). at 21 BALL AND WICKET LANE FARNHAM GU9 0PD”
“The application is to retain a 1.8m boundary fence that sits above a 1m knapped flint wall following removal of an existing fence. The boundary fence is located towards the eastern side of the application site facing Ball and Wicket Lane.”
Officer report
Earlier planning history
Earlier permissions covered a detached dwelling, extensions, and alterations including dormer windows.
“WA/2020/0675 Erection of extensions; alterations to elevations including dormer windows. GRANT 30/07/2020”
“WA/2001/1490 Erection of a detached dwelling. GRANT 19/10/2001”
Officer report
Design and visual impact
The 2.8-metre boundary treatment was considered urbanising and harmful to the area’s verdant, semi-rural character.
“Officers conclude that the fence has not retained and reinforced the traditional boundary treatment of the application property, it does not respond effectively to its surroundings and does not reflect/reinforce the local distinctiveness of the character of the area.”
Officer report
Who spoke
An objector and two supporters made representations under the council’s public speaking scheme.
The committee vote
After debate, the committee voted nine to two, with no abstentions, in favour of refusing permission.
“Following the debate, the Committee voted in favour of the officers’ recommendation to Refuse permission 9 in favour, two against and no abstentions Decision…”
Minutes
The decision
Permission was refused because the fence obstructed visibility and harmed visual amenity and the area’s distinctive semi-rural character.
“Planning permission is REFUSED for the following Reasons:”
“The fence as constructed, by reason of its height, proximity to the highway and prominent corner location represents an unduly prominent and inappropriate element in the street scene and is detrimental to the visual amenity of the surrounding area. The development fails to protect and enhance the distinctiveness of the area is at odds and therefore is harmful to the verdant, semi-rural character and appearance of the area.”
Minutes
The members' reasons
The resolution gives these reasons:
Minutes
- The boundary fence as constructed obstructs the required vehicle inter- visibility splays from the site accesses onto Ball and Wicket Lane which has an unacceptable impact on highway safety, contrary to Policy DM9 of Waverley Borough Council’s Local Plan (2023) and Section 9 of the NPPF (2025).
Source: the council's minutes, quoted word for word.
Sources
- Waverley Planning Committee minutes, 9 July 2025
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Waverley's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- Waverley Planning Committee
- Council
- Waverley
- Date
- Wednesday 9 July 2025
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended refusal
- Committee decided
- Refused
- Vote
- 9 for refusal, 2 against
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- Waverley committee decisions →
Source: Plota analysis of the minutes.
This committee's year
7 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.