Affordable homes or a scar on the landscape? Haslemere residents are split over a new housing proposal. The proposed housing development on land west of Hedgehog Lane, Haslemere, outlines 14 residential dwellings including affordable housing and self-build plots, designed to meet local demand. Just a short walk from the town centre and railway station, developers highlight the site’s excellent amenities and energy-efficient homes, designed to blend with Haslemere’s character.

But critics, including the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) officer, have raised concerns.

“The development would fundamentally change the character of the site from a paddock to a developed site,” said the officer. “It hardly meets the national and local policy test for conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of an AONB. While the government seeks to boost housing, there is no indication it should be at the cost of protected landscapes, and the level of their protection has remained the same.”

The site lies partly within the Surrey Hills National Landscape and adjoins an Area of Great Landscape Value. While developers argue the scheme is screened by existing trees and hedgerows, opponents maintain the environmental impact would be significant.

One objector commented: “As a community, we spent a great deal of time and effort engaged in a formal, collaborative process to define and adopt our neighbourhood plan. This planning application apparently ignores it. Among other things, the plan defines our settlement boundary, meant to prevent urban sprawl and protect the open green spaces that surround and characterise our town. This proposal concerns building on green space outside that boundary and should be refused.”

Supporters point to the urgent need for affordable housing and sustainable design. Yet critics argue the latest application is no different from earlier proposals, all of which were refused by Waverley Borough Council and dismissed on appeal.