The Waverley Borough Council Planning Committee met on 3 September 2025, and deferred a decision on an application for the erection of 159 dwellings at the Centrum Business Park, Farnham, to allow the developer to consider amendments to the scheme. The committee also noted appeal decisions that had been circulated with the agenda.

Centrum Business Park, Farnham

The Planning Committee deferred a decision on application WA/2024/01557 for the erection of 159 dwellings at Centrum Business Park, 35-42 East Street, Farnham, following public representations and committee debate.

The reasons for deferral were:

To enable the developer to consider amendments to the scheme to decrease the height and density of the development to adhere to Policy FNP14j) of the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan and Policy DM4 of the Waverley Local Plan (Part 2) 2023 and consider the impact on daylight and sunlight to existing residents to adhere to Policy DM5 of the Waverley Local Plan (Part 2) 2023.

During the meeting, the committee heard representations from: Mr Barry Saunders (objector); Councillor Chris Jackman (on behalf of Councillor Catherine Powell, objector); Mr Matt Hill (supporter); Councillor Tony Fairclough (representative of Farnham Town Council, statement read out by clerk); Councillor Jerry Hyman (Waverley Councillor); and Councillor George Hesse (Ward Councillor).

Councillors David Beaman and Andrew Laughton declared a non-pecuniary interest as they were both members of Farnham Town Council's Planning and Licensing Group, but affirmed they had an open mind and no predetermination on the application.

Appeals Decisions

The committee noted the appeal decisions that had been circulated with the agenda. These decisions included:

• The Mill Cottage, Waverley Lane, Farnham An appeal against the refusal of an outline application for 2 serviced plots for self-build and custom housebuilding was allowed.
• 24 Meadrow, Godalming An appeal against the refusal for a rear first floor extension with solar flat roof and a single storey side extension was dismissed, but the appeal was allowed for a pitched roof over the existing detached garage.
• The Lime House, Lowicks Road, Rushmoor, Farnham An appeal against the refusal for a change of use of a residential annexe to form a self contained dwelling including associated landscaping works was allowed.
• Hyde Orchards, Hyde Lane, Churt, Farnham An appeal against the refusal for the erection of an agricultural building was allowed.
• Cedar Croft Hale House Lane, Churt, Farnham An appeal against the refusal for the erection of a dwelling and associated works including alterations to existing vehicular access following demolition of existing dwelling, garage and outbuilding was dismissed.

At the previous meeting on 6 August 2025, members had questioned the Assistant Director of Planning on the number of appeals that were won and lost and the proportion that were committee vs officer decisions. The Assistant Director of Planning advised that around 60% of appeals were overthrown, but that whether an appeal was successful or overthrown was down to judgement of the inspector and this had been made more difficult due to changes in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).¹