THE eagerly awaited planning appeal decision on whether 1,800 new homes can be built at Dunsfold Park – due this month – has been delayed.

In an 11th-hour announcement, Housing Secretary Sajid Javid announced the outline application would not be determined as expected, on January 17, until after the publication of the report of the examination of part one of Waverley’s Local Plan.

Apologising for the delay, Mr Javid said the decision was taken due to the report’s “potential relevance” to the application for a major residential development at the airfield.

Waverley has allocated Dunsfold Park as a suitable site for 2,600 houses in its Local Plan. They will have to built elsewhere in the borough if the airfield is rejected at appeal for 1,800 new homes.

The inspector’s examination report, which will recommend if part one of Waverley’s Local Plan is sound and can be adopted, was due in December and is expected imminently. Its late arrival will delay the progress of the Local Plan.

A Waverley spokesman said: “The Local Plan timetable was estimated with the expectation we would receive the inspector’s report on the Local Plan in December.

“We are still waiting to receive the inspector’s report. Once it has been received, the council will undertake a ‘fact’ check. If the plan is found sound it will be rescheduled for adoption by full council.”