A controversial multi-million development in Haslemere has come under fire for its potential impact on parking and congestion.

Haslemere Town Council faced questions about the development at a recent council meeting by Maggie Walton-Swan, who was representing the Farnham Bunch Lane Triangle Residents’ Association.

The development will see the currently free Fairground Car Park at Weyhill and adjacent youth club turned into a supermarket with up to 32 council house. The development is expected to cost  £22 million and follows Waverley Council's decision to proceed to the planning stage to meet LLP2 obligations. The land was controversially acquired through a land swap deal.

Walton-Swan said that feedback from more than 115 households showed overwhelming concern about the proposal's impact on Haslemere.

The Youth Hub will be moved to Weydown Road car park, reducing the site's current 191 spaces by 65. This reduction will come alongside the 150 lost spaces at the Fairground car park.

A parking survey claims adequate availability, but Maggie Walton-Swan, representing the Farnham Bunch Lane Triangle Residents’ Association at a Haslemere Town Council meeting, questioned the reliability, stating that finding space at peak times “is virtually impossible.”

The nearby Haslemere Youth Hub will be moved into the Weydown Road car park – which together with the closure of the Fairground car park, will result in the permanent loss of 109 car parking spaces
The nearby Haslemere Youth Hub will be moved into the Weydown Road car park – which together with the closure of the Fairground car park, will result in the permanent loss of 109 car parking spaces (Google)

There are also fears that increased parking on nearby roads like Bunch Lane could impact residents' safety and accessibility to public transport. There were also concerns that adding a supermarket could worsen congestion on Wey Hill, where traffic already causes frequent gridlocks.

While Waverley Borough Council (WBC) believes the proposal will pay for itself over 26 years, it is still relying on £22m in borrowing to get it over the line, which Walton-Swan calls “a risky proposition if not at least partially funded by a retailer.”

Cllr Weldon said the decision to develop the site was made some time ago, and WBC is beginning feasibility studies. While acknowledging the congestion concerns, Weldon said affordable housing is essential for Haslemere, and the commercial element is necessary for funding.

At a WBC meeting, Cllr Mark Merryweather, portfolio holder for finance, assets, and property, said keeping Fairground as a free car park was “not fair or sustainable.”

Cllr Liz Townsend, portfolio holder for planning and economic development, added: “I can’t stress how important it is that we deliver this site as part of the allocation for Haslemere. It’s extremely important that we deliver more housing that is actually affordable.”