HASLEMERE Town Council (HTC) has objected to an outline application for 16 houses at Hedgehog Lane on the grounds it contravenes the town’s Neighbourhood Plan.

The plans, submitted by Haslemere-based developer Tony Lawson’s company Monkhill Ltd, were discussed at last Thursday’s Haslemere planning committee meeting.

The outline application seeks to establish the principle of building 16 homes – 11 affordable dwellings and five self-build dwellings – at the site, with all matters reserved except for access.

Cllr Nikki Barton said: “I’ve got a few concerns that relate to the Neighbourhood Plan. The site is within a designated green finger and it’s greenfield, so I feel very concerned about this outline.”

Councillors agreed to object to the plans on the grounds they contravene Haslemere Neighbourhood Plan policies H1, H9, H10 H11 and H12.

Policy H1 refers to the designation and purpose of the settlement boundaries, H9 covers trees, woodland and hedgerows, H10 refers to dark skies, H11 covers green spaces and H12 refers to protecting and enhancing Haslemere’s ecological network. Five councillors were in favour of the objection, and three councillors abstained.

 The committee raised no objection, however, to an outline application for up to 18 houses at The Old Grove in Hindhead.

The outline application proposed the erection of up to 18 dwellings and associated works following the demolition of the existing buildings at the site.

Cllr Barton said: “It is a brownfield site next to the A3, so that’s quite challenging to turn down.”

Eight councillors voted in favour of having no objection, and one councillor voted against the motion.

 Councillors objected to plans for the erection of two dwellings and alterations to the existing elements – including access and internal layout – following the partial demolition of an unlisted building in a conservation area at 14 High Street, Haslemere.

The committee objected on the grounds of it being out of keeping with the conservation area, density and traffic access.

Eight councillors were in favour of the objection, and one councillor abstained.

 There was no objection to plans for the conversion of an existing Dutch barn – together with associated alterations and landscaping – to provide four dwellings at Dene End Farm, Midhurst Road. All councillors voted in favour of the no-objection motion.

 Members also raised no objection to plans for three dwellings with associated car parking and landscaping following the demolition of existing outbuildings at Deerwood, Woolmer Hill Road.

However, only three councillors voted in favour of not objecting, with six councillors abstaining.

 There was no objection to an outline application for two semi-detached dwellings and up to three detached houses following the demolition of the existing garage at Portsmouth Road, Hindhead.

Eight councillors voted in favour of not objecting. One councillor abstained.