The scheme at Coxbridge Farm, Farnham, for 320 homes has languished for more than two years when after six months,  under the terms of the 2021 consent, it should have been refused.

FOR TRANSPARENCY, THE ONE OBJECTOR  STANDING UP FOR THE RESIDENTS OF FARNHAM WRITES THE FOLLOWING.

OH! And by the way – he isn’t seeking re-election to Waverley Borough Council.

Waverley’s Western Planning Committee went out with a roar.

For its authority, this Planning Committee were required to reconfirm that the Coxbridge development had no significant environmental impact on Farnham during construction, build out and completion. The Committee, with one objection, reconfirmed that the Local Planning Authority’s screening opinion dated 27 November 2018 was valid together with its conclusion of no significant environmental impact on Farnham. There could be no objection to the 320 dwelling development; it is within the development plan. The development is phased because of infrastructure limitations.

https://planning360.waverley.gov.uk:4443/civica/Resource/Civica/Handler.ashx/Doc/pagestream?cd=inline&pdf=true&docno=7169202

This decision, for the second time, prevented the residents of Farnham be… “given early and effective opportunities to participate in the decision-making procedures and ensure that the local planning authority has full knowledge of the likely significant effects and takes this into account in their decision-making process.”

THE LAW

Local planning authorities are prohibited from granting planning permission for development that is likely to have significant effects on the environment (“EIA development”) unless an EIA has been carried out in respect of that development. Developers can request that an authority issue a screening opinion as to whether their proposed development is EIA development, and the authority must consider any relevant cumulation with existing or approved development at the screening stage. The planning authority’s screening opinion removed the requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment.

These were the reasoned conclusions to object; environmental law seeks fairness and sustainable development it is a material consideration of public interest.