Is this the reason why those ‘Grampian Conditions’ imposed on Cranleigh developers to prevent homes being occupied until sewage capacity was improved, weren’t worth the paper they were written on?
When planning applications were granted in and around Cranleigh conditions stating that upgrades to the overloaded sewage network were required ‘prior to the ‘building of any homes’ was imposed by ‘Your Waverley.’
One developer – Cala Homes – wanted those conditions changed from ‘pre commencement’ to – ‘prior to occupation.’
No surprise there then, because they didn’t want development held up! Others, found a quicker way of dealing with Sh**gate as it is called in Cranleigh. Crest Nicholson put in holding tanks to collect waste and allow it to seep into the sewers slowly but surely!
Despite calls from the Cranleigh Civic Society that upgrades to the sewage works and problems with flow rates in Cranleigh Waters were a long-term issue – five years, at least – the planners ball rolled and rolled…
Whilst the parish/borough councillors had some comfort that those ‘Grampian Conditions’ would save Cranleigh’s day it now appears – No way Jòse! Because…whist villagers were calling on ‘Your Waverly’ not to remove the conditions – they didn’t realise they were useless, unenforceable, and were sent to the trash bin – which is why Cranleigh is now being covered in concrete and their toilets are backing up – and only 50 homes have so far been occupied! Only another thousand or so to go – and this week ‘YW’ is calling for MORE SITES!
This is what the Cranleigh Civic Society wrote about Cala Homes and Crest Nicholson :
Here is a section taken from the council’s Papers.
This Planning Department is clearly incompetent and unfit for purpose. They should be sacked (without compensation!). Your photo shows the future of the “Village of the Damned” all too well.
I moved to Waverley Borough in September 2005 and by March 2006 knew that WBC planning dept was inept and they lied quite blatantly so nothing they do is a surprise
When I watch the planning meetings and the so called legal advisor comes up with all the answers to the questions posed I now wonder if he is worth the money he is paid or any of the legal, planning officers etc that have been involved, it makes you wonder who they are actually working for regardless that the people of Waverley pay their wages.
All we can say is – thank God there is someone out there actually watching the webcasts! We believe the death of our borough will be due to – the public’s apathy! When will residents start calling their elected representatives to account?