Skip to main content

Old Park Lane, Farnham

A planning inquiry related to Old Park Lane, Farnham will open at 10am on 11 February 2025 and is anticipated to run for 5 days across 11, 12, 13, 14 and 18 February 2025.


The inquiry is being live streamed:

WaverleyBorough - YouTube


Tuesday, 18 February 2025 session will be conducted by Zoom, you can view the proceedings via YouTube.

If you need to participate and have not been given login details for the zoom meeting please contact Waverley Borough Council at consultation.planning@waverley.gov.uk or 01483 523359.


Reason for inquiry

Appeal by Mr Nick Keeley of Gleeson Land Limited and Mrs Karen Barnes of Turley Associates relating to the application to Waverley Borough Council.

Appeal: APP/R3650/W/24/3353124

Waverley BC application: WA/2023/01467 following refusal on 23/08/2024.

Description of works: Outline Application with all matters reserved except access for up to 83 dwellings (including 24 affordable) and public open space/country park, including related play space, community orchard, wildlife pond, internal access roads, footways/footpaths and drainage basins/corridor.

Site Address: Old Park Lane, Farnham


Case Officer contact at the Planning Inspectorate

Kerr Brown

Email: kerr.brown@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

Tel: 0303 444 5000


National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Update

On 12 December 2024, the Government published a revised National Planning Policy Framework (the Framework 2024). The Framework 2024, amongst other things, was accompanied by a written ministerial statement (WMS) and updates to Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).

Information regarding the Framework 2024, and updates to PPG, can be found on GOV.UK: National Planning Policy Framework - GOV.UK

The WMS can be found on the UK Parliament website: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

The Framework 2024, WMS and the PPG are material considerations which should be taken into account from the day of publication.

Full details can be found on the Inspector's Update Note 

Date

Activity

ASAP/Ongoing

Appellant to work with Surrey County Council in preparing a
SOCG relating to Highway matters.

Appellant to meet with Council’s Tree Officer to consider
landscaping and trees in respect of Main Issue (c).

Council to confirm venue details, and to confirm separate
retiring room for Inspector and room for appellant.

Farnham Town Council to continue working proactively with
the Council to ensure engagement with interested parties
and to ensure effective use of inquiry time.

7 January 2025

Deadline for the submission of:

  • Main SOCG

  • Any topic based SOCG

  • Core Document list

  • List of core documents to be included in core bundle

13 January 2025

Deadline for the submission of:

  • All proofs of evidence and appendices, including
    topic papers

27 January 2025

Deadline for the submission of:

  • Any necessary rebuttals

  • ‘Final’ schedule of planning conditions

  • Itinerary for site visit and annotated plan

  • Evidence that the notification letters have been issued,
    and press and site notices have been published/displayed

  • ‘Final’ draft legal agreement, office copy entries and
    compliance statement

4 February 2025

Deadline for the submission of:

  • Draft timetable

  • Core bundle

  • CIL Compliance Statement

11 February 2025

Inquiry opens at 10am

Inquiry Timetable

Week 1 - Day 1

Tuesday 11 February 2025, 10am start 

Morning session 1

Afternoon session 2

Inspector’s Opening

Appellant’s Opening (15 mins)
Council’s Opening (5 mins)

Interested parties

Highways evidence

Philip Bell

Landscape
Council’s witness
Robert Petrow 
EiC LPA (30 mins)
XX APP (2 hours)
Re-X

Week 1 - Day 2

Wednesday 12 February 2025, 9:30am start

Morning session 1 

Afternoon session 2

Landscape cont.                     
Appellant’s witness
Joanna Ede
EIC APP (45 mins)          
XX LPA (45 mins)
Re-X

Planning
Council’s witness
Christopher Sampson
EiC LPA (45 mins)

Planning cont.
XX APP (2 hrs)
Re-X

Appellant’s witness
Simon Packer
EiC APP (45 mins)  

Week 1 - Day 3

Thursday 13 February 2025, 9:30am start

Morning session 1

Afternoon session 2

Planning cont.
XX LPA (1 hour)
Re-X

Roundtable session for
conditions and S106
(without prejudice)                

 

Site visit

Week 1 - Day 4

Friday 14 February 2025, 9:30am start

Morning session 1

Afternoon session 2

Site Visit
(if not possible on Thursday)  

 

Week 2 - Day 5

Tuesday 18 February 2025, 10am start

Morning session

Closing submissions Council (30 mins)

Closing submissions Appellant (1 hour)

Costs applications (if submitted)


1 With a mid-morning break
2 With a mid-afternoon break

Core Document List 

Contents

Click on a link below to skip to a specific section or scroll down

CD1 - Original Application Documents

CD2 - Amended/Additional Application Documents

CD3 - Relevant Planning Application Consultation Response

CD4 - Application Decision

CD5 - Local Planning Policy Guidance

CD6 - Evidence Base

CD7 - National Planning Policies and Guidance

CD8 - Statements of Case and Statements of Common Ground (SoCG)

CD9 - Proofs of Evidence

CD10 - Appeal Decisions

CD11 - Judgements

CD12 - Correspondence since the Appeal was Lodged

CD13 - Rebuttals


Inquiry Documents (Documents/plans submitted between 11/02/2025 to 14/02/2025 and 18/02/2025)

ID1 - Running order of Interested Parties from Abbey View

ID2 - Appellant's Opening Statement

ID3 - Opening Statement on behalf of Waverley Borough Council

ID4 - Submission by Mr Tilbury, Farnham Town Council

ID5 - Objection on behalf of the Open Spaces Society

ID6 - Submission by John Schonegevel

ID7 - Weight to be given to benefits/disbenefits

ID8 - Submission by Tersia Hopkins-Sarai

ID9 - Planning appeal inquiry statement of Cllr Catherine Powell

ID10 - Representation submitted by Stewart Edge

ID11 - Updated Allocation site delivery table

ID12 - Notes and Clarifications on Aspects of Guidelines for Landscape and Visual                      Impact Assessment Third edition (GLVIA3)

ID13 - Assessing landscape value outside national designations

ID14 - Surface Water Flood Risk Update

ID15 - Submission by Mr Trevor Free

ID16 - Submission by Joan Oldroyd

ID17 - Submission by Rebecca Clear

ID18 - Submission by Catherine Warlow

ID19 - Submission by Julian Minto

ID20 - Submission by Anthony Haslam

ID21 - Details of residents for site visit

ID22 - Evidence note of Ms Ede

ID23 - Site Visit Itinerary for 13 February 2025

ID24 - Email note from Natural England, dated 10 February 2025

ID25 - LPA's Closing Submission

ID26 - Appellant's Closing Submission

ID27 - Updated Noise Impact Assessment dated, 12 February 2025


CD1 - Original Application Documents

Submitted 24 March 2023

CD Ref

Title

CD1.1

Application Form including Certificates

CD1.2

Covering Letter (ref. GLES3004 dated 9 June 2023)

CD1.3

Planning Statement (ref. GLES3004)

CD1.4

CIL Form (dated 9 June 2023)

CD1.5

Agricultural Land Classification and Considerations Report (ref. KCC3388 ALC&C)

CD1.6

Air Quality Assessment (Version 1, Rev A)

CD1.7

Arboricultural Impact Assessment (ref. 10542_AIA.001)

CD1.8

Archaeological Desk Based Assessment (ref. OPL 22/69)

CD1.9

Biodiversity Checklist (dated 9 June 2023)

CD1.10

Biodiversity Metric 4.0 Calculation Tool (Version 1, dated 25th May 2023)

CD1.11

Design and Access Statement (ref. 2046_2.06_230608)

CD1.12

Drainage Strategy and Flood Risk Assessment (ref. 221553/DS/MN/KBL/01)

CD1.13

Ecological Impact Assessment (Issue 2 dated May 2023)

CD1.14

Energy and Sustainability Statement (Version 3)

CD1.15

Bat Activity Report (Issue 2)

CD1.16

Great Crested News eDNA Testing (Issue 1)

CD1.17

Reptile Survey (Issue 2)

CD1.18

Heritage Statement (Ref. GLES3004 dated June 2023)

CD1.19

Illustrative Landscape Masterplan (Dwg. No. GLES3004_01 Rev. 00)

CD1.20

Illustrative Masterplan – Full Site (Dwg. No. 2046_005 Rev. P3)

CD1.21

Illustrative Masterplan (Dwg. No.  2046_003 Rev. P7)

CD1.22

Landscape and Visual Appraisal (ref. GLES3004 dated June 2023)

CD1.23

Landscape Strategy (GLES3004 dated June 2023)

CD1.24

Parameters Plan – Full Site (Dwg. No. 2046_004 Rev. P2)

CD1.25

Parameters Plan (Dwg. No. 2046_002 Rev. P2)

CD1.26

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (Issue 2)

CD1.27

Surface Water Drainage Summary Pro-forma (dated 9th June 2023)

CD1.28

Site Location Plan (Dwg. No. 2046_001 Rev. P4)

CD1.29

Statement of Community Involvement (Ref. GLES3004 dated June 2023)

CD1.30

Transport Assessment (dated 24th May 2024)

CD1.31

Travel Plan (dated 24th May 2024)

CD1.32

Tree Constraints Plans (Dwg. No. 10542 TCP 01 Rev. C)

CD1.33

Tree Survey and Schedule (Dwg. No. 10542 TS 01)

CD1.34

Utilities Statement (dated October 2022)

CD1.35

Utilities Statement Appendix 1 (Asset Location Search) (ref. ALS/ALS Standard/2022_4608821)

CD1.36

Utilities Statement Appendix 1 (Neos Network) (ref. 25055976)

CD1.37

Utilities Statement Appendix 1 (SEW PLAN) (dated October 2022)

CD1.38

Utilities Statement Appendix 1(SGN) (Ref. 25055976)

CD1.39

Utilities Statement Appendix 1 (SSEN) (Ref. 25055976)

CD1.40

Verified Views Report (Ref. V3D 220401)

 


CD2 - Amended/Additional Application Documents

Submitted 5 December 2023 

CD Ref

Title

CD2.1

Transport Assessment (Final V2)

CD2.2

Travel Plan (Final V2)

Submitted 6 December 2023 

CD Ref

Title

CD2.3

Drainage Strategy and Flood Risk Assessment (Ref. 221553/DS/MN/KBL/01)

Submitted 9 January 2024

CD Ref

Title

CD2.4

Drainage Strategy and Flood Risk Assessment (Ref. 221553/DS/MN/KBL/01)

Submitted 23 January 2024

CD Ref

Title

CD2.5

Letter from Motion with appended proposed highway improvements (dated 23 January 2024)

Submitted 21 February 2024

CD Ref

Title

CD2.6

Drainage Strategy Addendum (Ref. 221533/AD/RS/KBL/01)

Letter to SCC (Ref. 221533/KL/ml/02)

Submitted 22 March 2024

CD Ref

Title

CD2.7

Parameters Plan (Dwg. No. 2046_002)

CD2.8

Illustrative Masterplan (Dwg. No. 2046_003)

CD2.9

Parameters Plan – Full Site (Dwg. No. 2046_004)

CD2.10

Illustrative Masterplan – Full Site ((Dwg. No. 2046_005)

CD2.11

Arboricultural Impact Assessment (Ref. 10542_AIA.001 Rev. B)

CD2.12

Biodiversity Metric 4.0 Calculation Tool (Dated March 2024)

CD2.13

Biodiversity Net Gain Report (Dated March 2024)

CD2.14

Illustrative Landscape Masterplan (Ref. GLES3004_01 Rev 1)

CD2.15

Landscape and Visual Appraisal (Ref. GLES3004)

CD2.16

Landscape Strategy (Ref. GLES3004)

CD2.17

Proposed Access Arrangements (Dwg. No. 1902021-11 Rev D)

CD2.18

Swept Path Analysis Large Tipper (Dwg. No. 190201-TK04 Rev. A)

CD2.19

Swept Path Analysis Refuse (Dwg. No. 1902021-TK01 Rev C)

CD2.20

Tree Protection and Removal Plan (Dwg. No. 10542 TPP 01 Rev A)

 


CD3 - Relevant Planning Application Consultation Response

CD Ref

Title

CD3.1

SCC Archaeological Officer

CD3.2

SCC Education Place Planning (29 January 2024)

CD3.3

Environment Agency (1 September 2023)

CD3.4

Environmental Health Officer (7 July 2023 and 19 July 2023)

CD3.5

Greenspaces Manager

CD3.6

SCC Highways (19 February 2024; 8 December 2023; 17 November 2023; 10 October 2023; 25 July 2023)

CD3.7

Historic England (14 August 2023)

CD3.8

LLFA (10 April 2024; 5 March 2024; 14 February 2023; 26 January 2024; 8 December 2023; 4 December 2023; 11 July 2023)

CD3.9

Minerals and Waste (25 July 2023)

CD3.10

National Highways (12 July 2023)

CD3.11

Natural England (16 May 2024; 18 December 2023; 24 July 2023)

CD3.12

PROW Officer (14 July 2023)

CD3.13

Southern Water (25 July 2023)

CD3.14

Sport England

CD3.15

Surrey Hills AONB Planning Advisor (4 July 2023)

CD3.16

Surrey Police (10 July 2023)

CD3.17

Wildlife Trust (4 December 2023; 9 August 2023)

CD3.18

Thames Water (21 July 2023)

CD3.19

Tree Officer

CD3.20

Farnham Town Council (4 August 2023 and 25 March 2024)

CD3.21

Farnham Society (21 February 2024)

CD3.22

Heritage Assets (23 August 2023)

CD3.23

Housing Strategy and Enabling Manager (July 2023)

CD3.24

CPRE Response 

 


CD4 - Application Decision

CD Ref

Title

CD4.1

Decision Notice (dated 23 August 2024)

CD4.2

Committee Report (no date, uploaded online August 2024)

CD4.3

Committee Update Sheet – Members site visit (dated 3rd July 2024)

CD4.4

Committee Update Sheet – Highways (dated 3rd July 2024)

 


CD5 - Local Planning Policy Guidance

CD Ref

Title

CD5.1    

Waverley Local Plan Part 1: Strategic Policies (‘LPP1’) – adopted Feb 2018

CD5.2

Waverley Borough Adopted Policies Map – Borough-wide Map West and Farnham Inset

CD5.3

Waverley Local Plan Part 2: Site Allocations and Development Management Policies ('LPP2') - adopted March 2023

CD5.4

Saved Policy NRM6 of the South East Plan – adopted 2009

CD5.5

Farnham Neighbourhood Plan (‘FNP’) – ‘made’ 3rd April 2020

CD5.6

Farnham Design Statement – adopted 2010

CD5.7

Five Year Supply Position Statement (November 2024)

CD5.8

Farnham Town Centre Conservation Area Boundary Map (March 2012)

CD5.9

Farnham Town Centre Conservation Area Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (February 2005)

CD5.10

Farnham Town Centre Conservation Area Management Plan (October 2012)

 


CD6 - Evidence Base

CD Ref

Title

CD6.1

Surrey Landscape Character Assessment: Waverley Borough (Hankinson Duckett Associates, 2015)

CD6.2

Farnham Landscape Character Assessment: Hankinson Duckett Associates, 2018)

CD6.3

Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment’, Landscape Institute and Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment, 2013 (GLVIA3)

CD6.4

National Character Areas (NCA) 130 Hampshire Downs (Natural England, 2014)

CD6.5

Waverley Borough Council Landscape Study – Part 1: Farnham and Cranleigh (AMEC, 2014)

CD6.6

Notes and Clarifications on aspects of the 3rd Edition Guidelines on Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (GLVIA3)

 


CD7 - National Planning Policies and Guidance

CD Ref

Title

CD7.1

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), December 2023

CD7.2

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), December 2024

CD7.3

Local Housing Need Outcome of the New Method, December 2024

CD7.4

Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
[online resource: Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990]

 


CD8 - Statements of Case and Statements of Common Ground (SoCG)

CD Ref

Title

CD8.1

Appellant’s Statement of Case (dated October 2024)

CD8.2

LPA Statement of Case (dated November 2024)

CD8.3

Statement of Common Ground (dated December 2024)

CD8.4

Landscape Statement of Common Ground (dated January 2025)

CD8.5

Draft Highways Statement of Common Ground (December 2024)

CD8.6

LPA Landscape Statement of Case (dated November 2024)

 


CD9 - Proofs of Evidence

CD Ref 

Title

CD9.1

Appellant's Planning Proof of Evidence

CD9.2

Appellant’s Landscape and Visual Impact Proof of Evidence

CD9.3

Appellant's Highways Proof of Evidence

CD9.4

Appellant's Ecology Proof of Evidence

CD9.5

LPA Planning Proof of Evidence

CD9.6

LPA Landscape and Visual Impact Proof of Evidence

 


CD10 - Appeal Decisions

CD Ref

Title

CD10.1

APP/R3650/W/22/3311941 Land West of and Opposite Old Compton Lane, Waverley Lane, Farnham, dated 3 July 2023

CD10.2

APP/R3650/W/23/3332590 : Land at Coombebury Cottage, Dunsfold Common Road, Dunsfold, dated 8 May 2024

CD10.3

APP/R3650/W/22/3302987 – Land at Hawthorns, Hale Road, Farnham, dated 17 February 2023

 


CD11 - Judgements

CD Ref 

Title

CD11.1

R. v. Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council ex parte Milne (31 July 2000)

CD11.2

Corbett v The Cornwall Council [2020] EWCA Civ 508

 


CD12 - Correspondence since the Appeal was Lodged

CD Ref 

Title

CD12.1

Email from Waverley Borough Council regarding EIA Screening Opinion

 


CD13 - Rebuttals

CD Ref 

Title

CD13.1

Appellant's Planning Rebuttal (27 January 2025)

CD13.2

Appellant's Landscape Rebuttal (26 January 2025)

CD13.3

Appendix 10: Draft Planning Conditions (27 January 2025)

CD13.4

Proposed Inspector Site Visit Route

CD13.5

Farnham S106 Agreement

CD13.6

Appeal site notice locations (24 January 2025)

 


Inquiry Documents (Documents/plans submitted between 11/02/2025 to 14/02/2025 and 18/02/2025)

[For use during the Inquiry process, post exchange of evident]

ID Ref

Title

ID1

Running order of Interested Parties from Abbey View

ID2

Appellant’s Opening Statement

ID3

Opening Statement on behalf of Waverley Borough Council

ID4

Submission by Mr Tilbury, Farnham Town Council

ID5

Objection on behalf of the Open Spaces Society

ID6

Submission by John Schonegevel

ID7

Weight to be given to benefits/disbenefits

ID8

Submission by Tersia Hopkins-Sarai

ID9

Planning appeal inquiry statement of Cllr Catherine Powell

ID10

Representation submitted by Stewart Edge

ID11

Updated Allocation site delivery table

ID12

Notes and Clarifications on Aspects of Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Third edition (GLVIA3)

ID13

Assessing landscape value outside national designations

ID14

Surface Water Flood Risk Update

ID15

Submission by Mr Trevor Free

ID16

Submission by Joan Oldroyd

ID17

Submission by Rebecca Clear

ID18

Submission by Catherine Warlow

ID19

Submission by Julian Minto

ID20

Submission by Anthony Haslam

ID21

Details of residents for site visit

ID22

Evidence note of Ms Ede

ID23

Site Visit Itinerary for 13 February 2025

ID24

Email note from Natural England, dated 10 February 2025

ID25

LPA's Closing Submission

ID26

Appellant's Closing Submission

ID27

Updated Noise Impact Assessment, dated 12 February 2025