Welcome to Haslemere South last updated 3 November 2020
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Haslemere South Residents Association is open to all and is dedicated to building a positive community life and protecting the unique and precious landscapes, specifically the wildlife-rich wooded green meadows and the wide range of protected of species in the lands that form the border with Blackdown and the South Downs National Park to the South of Haslemere.
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This Page is now dedicated to the stages of the proposed Planning Application
WA/2020/1213
WA/2020/1213
Say goodbye to all but four (4) of these mature trees and the nests within them. They are simply an annoyance to Redwood.
(Shown in Herald 3 Sept 20)
Rebuttal on the current Planning and Development - related to Red Court.
Waverley has repeatably stated their process on the submitted planning application (WA/2020/1213) and allocation of sites for LPP2 are two sperate issues. However, the submitted planning application and the draft LPP2 (Oct 2020) appear to be merging through statements submitted by Savills (Letter on Objections 26 October 2020) and through Waverley Committee statements. Waverley is allowing the interjection of an argument which does not support or object a specific point in a planning application or site allocation which is incorrect as it sets a biased view.
Waverley simply stated that they have to build houses and statements such as “rock & hard place “ and “someone will complain wherever the houses are put” are not counter arguments to the fact that the Red Court site is an AGLV / AONB under Policy RE 3 site and the development will damage the decades of established biodiversity as stated by Prof Tom Oliver, HSRA and two Waverley Councillors. The requirements in the NPPF clearly state they are separate issues as did the Judge Mr Justice Holgate in the Longdene Case No: CO/539/2019. South Haslemere must not be plunged into negative biodiversity for the sake of a property developer.
A fair & transparent system must be in place, not a one sided, biased approach.
Waverley has repeatably stated their process on the submitted planning application (WA/2020/1213) and allocation of sites for LPP2 are two sperate issues. However, the submitted planning application and the draft LPP2 (Oct 2020) appear to be merging through statements submitted by Savills (Letter on Objections 26 October 2020) and through Waverley Committee statements. Waverley is allowing the interjection of an argument which does not support or object a specific point in a planning application or site allocation which is incorrect as it sets a biased view.
Waverley simply stated that they have to build houses and statements such as “rock & hard place “ and “someone will complain wherever the houses are put” are not counter arguments to the fact that the Red Court site is an AGLV / AONB under Policy RE 3 site and the development will damage the decades of established biodiversity as stated by Prof Tom Oliver, HSRA and two Waverley Councillors. The requirements in the NPPF clearly state they are separate issues as did the Judge Mr Justice Holgate in the Longdene Case No: CO/539/2019. South Haslemere must not be plunged into negative biodiversity for the sake of a property developer.
A fair & transparent system must be in place, not a one sided, biased approach.
News Flash: On Tuesday 6th October the Waverley Executive Committee discussed the allocations for Local Plan. Red Court is still on the list while the team work on Alternative sites.
The October meeting focused on the Housing Numbers. This can be viewed here (HSRA & HV are on in the first 30min)
In summary, we expected this to be voted through as written as Waverley appear to be fixated on publishing this document with their blind-view housing allocation. HSRA plus many others stated that alternatives are available. The 505 Objections on the Waverley Planning Portal sets a dangerous precedent by building on this strong Biodiverse land area appears to be secondary. The serious Water issue, which affects all of Haslemere was raised, but TW just state all is well. It is not. TW themselves have no plans to upgrade the water (regardless of building) for 5 years. The £55M suggested in the July Webinar when the water first went off, although muted as a saviour to Haslemere, actually stops at Shalford.
The October meeting focused on the Housing Numbers. This can be viewed here (HSRA & HV are on in the first 30min)
In summary, we expected this to be voted through as written as Waverley appear to be fixated on publishing this document with their blind-view housing allocation. HSRA plus many others stated that alternatives are available. The 505 Objections on the Waverley Planning Portal sets a dangerous precedent by building on this strong Biodiverse land area appears to be secondary. The serious Water issue, which affects all of Haslemere was raised, but TW just state all is well. It is not. TW themselves have no plans to upgrade the water (regardless of building) for 5 years. The £55M suggested in the July Webinar when the water first went off, although muted as a saviour to Haslemere, actually stops at Shalford.
The Haslemere Town Council voted to OBJECT to the Redwood Plans to decimate the green ring around Haslemere. The site is still part of the LPP2 but this should be removed as it contravenes the Housing numbers and Biodiversity statements. HASLEMERE can meet its numbers without Red Court on AONB.
Click to see the real evidence why Red Court should not be Developed
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The Postcode spread of all objections showing that the rejections are not a NIMBY cluster
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Click to Download the Flyer
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The developer of Red Court, Scotland Lane, Haslemere has submitted his planning application to Waverley for the first phase of 50 houses on AGLV (Area of Great Landscape Value), eradicating a large part of the town’s beautiful, protected green landscape that rings the town. Even worse, if successful, it is clearly stated that the developer’s real plan is to build a total of 180 houses with Phase Two across large sections of southern Haslemere’s ridge of AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with a devastating impact on the neighbouring areas of National Trust Blackdown, Marley Common and the South Downs National Park. The developer, claiming to be environmentally friendly, has already felled many trees, with hundreds more proposed to be cleared resulting in the displacement of a great many protected and endangered wildlife species. The developers themselves acknowledge that the site is currently a habitat to species including redwing and honey buzzards on the endangered Red List, as well as bats, skylarks, woodcock, hen harrier, greater spotted woodpecker, owls, dormice and slow worms. |
EIGHT GOOD REASONS WHY THIS PLANNING APPLICATION MUST BE REFUSED:- Consultation now Closed
Ignores the Voice of Haslemere citizens
The developer expressly dismisses our community’s Neighbourhood Plan which prioritises protection of countryside against this type of scheme and has been approved by the Town Council after years of effort and Haslemere-wide consultation. 89% of surveyed residents did not want large developments on this category of greenfield land.
Contravenes National and Local Planning Policy
The National Planning Policy Framework as applied by Waverley requires “exceptional circumstances” to build on AGLV. The developer argues the town’s need for housing justifies this scheme, but it is not actually needed since 50 homes (including flats and affordable homes) can be provided inside the town’s settlement boundary – that’s only 5 per year over 10 years. This is consistent with our community’s Neighbourhood Plan.
Erodes Haslemere’s unique Green Circle
The development swallows up swathes of Haslemere’s surrounding countryside and damages its intrinsic character and beauty. It has a cumulative detrimental effect on the natural environment given the loss of AONB to developers at Sturt Farm.
Destroys a rich and diverse Ecological Habitat
Many protected species, including migratory birds, will be displaced by the development. There will be deliberate harm to biodiversity with knock-on impacts for wider ecosystems. The council’s climate emergency pledge is to act to protect the environment.
Sets a precedent for destroying Protected Countryside
The developer wants another 130 houses and approval of this AGLV site will open the door for further housing estates on protected countryside around Haslemere.
Our Water Supply is at breaking point
The town has suffered water shortages in recent months and years. An additional large housing estate will make this worse.
Adds to Safety Risks & Congestion on the Transport Network
Pedestrians flowing onto narrow lanes and more cars from this and other developments in the vicinity will increase risk to safety for all.
Waverley’s Local Development Plan is not final
It cannot be right that the developer’s plan should be approved on his request simply because planning officers took his site into consideration in a draft development plan (LPP2) that was withdrawn in 2018 and still has not been approved or finalised; to do so will prejudice LPP2.
Click here for the Link to the NPPF (Feb 2019)
Ignores the Voice of Haslemere citizens
The developer expressly dismisses our community’s Neighbourhood Plan which prioritises protection of countryside against this type of scheme and has been approved by the Town Council after years of effort and Haslemere-wide consultation. 89% of surveyed residents did not want large developments on this category of greenfield land.
Contravenes National and Local Planning Policy
The National Planning Policy Framework as applied by Waverley requires “exceptional circumstances” to build on AGLV. The developer argues the town’s need for housing justifies this scheme, but it is not actually needed since 50 homes (including flats and affordable homes) can be provided inside the town’s settlement boundary – that’s only 5 per year over 10 years. This is consistent with our community’s Neighbourhood Plan.
Erodes Haslemere’s unique Green Circle
The development swallows up swathes of Haslemere’s surrounding countryside and damages its intrinsic character and beauty. It has a cumulative detrimental effect on the natural environment given the loss of AONB to developers at Sturt Farm.
Destroys a rich and diverse Ecological Habitat
Many protected species, including migratory birds, will be displaced by the development. There will be deliberate harm to biodiversity with knock-on impacts for wider ecosystems. The council’s climate emergency pledge is to act to protect the environment.
Sets a precedent for destroying Protected Countryside
The developer wants another 130 houses and approval of this AGLV site will open the door for further housing estates on protected countryside around Haslemere.
Our Water Supply is at breaking point
The town has suffered water shortages in recent months and years. An additional large housing estate will make this worse.
Adds to Safety Risks & Congestion on the Transport Network
Pedestrians flowing onto narrow lanes and more cars from this and other developments in the vicinity will increase risk to safety for all.
Waverley’s Local Development Plan is not final
It cannot be right that the developer’s plan should be approved on his request simply because planning officers took his site into consideration in a draft development plan (LPP2) that was withdrawn in 2018 and still has not been approved or finalised; to do so will prejudice LPP2.
Click here for the Link to the NPPF (Feb 2019)
The Explanation
The Redwood (Southwest) Ltd development plan for Red Court is now a live Planning Application. To obtain the full document set please go to Waverley site or search Waverley WA/2020/1213). This is a major development in Haslemere’s protected green spaces which we do not believe can be completed in an acceptable way. The proposed development will have severe negative impacts on landscape, biodiversity, transport, heritage and infrastructure given the site’s location.
For really obvious reasons, the development site is designated as an Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) which Waverley’s policy requires be protected on the same basis as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) for planning purposes. In addition, the site sits outside the town’s Settlement Boundary and nearly 90% of Haslemere residents surveyed by Haslemere Vision did not want large developments like this outside the Settlement Boundary. This whole area must be protected or Haslemere will lose to urbanisation a large section of its green surrounding ring made up of AGLV, AONB and National Trust countryside.
In the same way that we benefit from prior generations’ protection of Haslemere’s countryside – Robert Hunter’s vision in founding the National Trust here – so we too should continue to protect it from being destroyed in pursuit of the financial ambitions of commercial developers, their agents and investors.
HSRA calls on all town and borough councillors to reject this planning application. The Neighbourhood Plan clearly envisages development with appropriate densities inside the Settlement Boundary or on brownfield sites in order to meet Haslemere’s housing needs.
Haslemere and Waverley Councils have pledged to take action on climate change and declared an emergency to protect our natural environment – approving the destruction of our open green spaces would be a violation of that pledge and an outrage in the minds of our children and grandchildren.
Wildlife
The proposed development site has been fallow for 20 years or so and has built up many nests and roosts for all the wildlife which crosses over from the South Downs into the fields. The top field suggested as the highest density of housing actually has the highest wildlife count because it is on the crest where all the animals feel safe and can freely move about.
Species currently present on site, extracted and confirmed from the Engain report (eg17812.002) are listed below. HSRA do not dispute any of these finding but do suggest there are actually additional animals in residence and some in higher volumes.[BJ1]
Local residents also Report
However many artificial attempts are made by a developer to keep some species present on a housing estate, the ecological value and biodiversity of this site will self-evidently be lost forever.
The Redwood (Southwest) Ltd development plan for Red Court is now a live Planning Application. To obtain the full document set please go to Waverley site or search Waverley WA/2020/1213). This is a major development in Haslemere’s protected green spaces which we do not believe can be completed in an acceptable way. The proposed development will have severe negative impacts on landscape, biodiversity, transport, heritage and infrastructure given the site’s location.
For really obvious reasons, the development site is designated as an Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) which Waverley’s policy requires be protected on the same basis as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) for planning purposes. In addition, the site sits outside the town’s Settlement Boundary and nearly 90% of Haslemere residents surveyed by Haslemere Vision did not want large developments like this outside the Settlement Boundary. This whole area must be protected or Haslemere will lose to urbanisation a large section of its green surrounding ring made up of AGLV, AONB and National Trust countryside.
In the same way that we benefit from prior generations’ protection of Haslemere’s countryside – Robert Hunter’s vision in founding the National Trust here – so we too should continue to protect it from being destroyed in pursuit of the financial ambitions of commercial developers, their agents and investors.
HSRA calls on all town and borough councillors to reject this planning application. The Neighbourhood Plan clearly envisages development with appropriate densities inside the Settlement Boundary or on brownfield sites in order to meet Haslemere’s housing needs.
Haslemere and Waverley Councils have pledged to take action on climate change and declared an emergency to protect our natural environment – approving the destruction of our open green spaces would be a violation of that pledge and an outrage in the minds of our children and grandchildren.
Wildlife
The proposed development site has been fallow for 20 years or so and has built up many nests and roosts for all the wildlife which crosses over from the South Downs into the fields. The top field suggested as the highest density of housing actually has the highest wildlife count because it is on the crest where all the animals feel safe and can freely move about.
Species currently present on site, extracted and confirmed from the Engain report (eg17812.002) are listed below. HSRA do not dispute any of these finding but do suggest there are actually additional animals in residence and some in higher volumes.[BJ1]
- Dormice (Protected)
- Badgers
- Slow worms (Multiple nests – Protected )
- Grass snakes
- All the common migratory and resident birds, too many to list
- Passerines family of birds including firecrests
- Bats, majority are Pipistrelles but serotines and noctules Brown long-eared bats are all present, the same as in Swan Barn.
- Woodpeckers; (green plus L & G spotted woodpeckers)
- Owls - Long eared, Barn & Tawny
Local residents also Report
- Hedgehogs
- 2 family harem of Pheasants
- Voles
- Shrews
- Toads
- Green snakes
- Sand Lizards
However many artificial attempts are made by a developer to keep some species present on a housing estate, the ecological value and biodiversity of this site will self-evidently be lost forever.
Red Court "Ridge" looking north from SDNP.
Red Court in centre.