Just a handful of councillors – abstained – from supporting the layout and landscaping of Miller Homes consented application to build 120 three and four storey homes on the former Hewitts Industrial Estate in Elmbridge Road – why didn’t they vote against it is anyone’s guess? Do they get to feel Betty’s Appealing Boot if they dare oppose a scheme which was described by a string of councillors as:
“AWFUL” “THE WORST DESIGN I HAVE EVER SEEN,” “FOUR STOREY BLOCKS LIKE LINES OF CARAVANS.’ ‘MONOCHROME,’ ” A DESIGN THAT IS SO UNIMAGINATIVE IT IS RIDICULOUS.” ‘DIDN’T THINK IN WAVERLEY WE WOULD BE BUILDING IDENTIKIT HOMES,” ‘HOMES THAT LOOK LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF THE HOBITT.’ “NEVER SEEN ANYTHING SO UNINSPIRING.”
Here’s `Kevin Deanus Councillor for Alfold.
However, Waverley was between a rock and a hard place after a Government Inspector over-ruled its refusal and allowed the application to turn the former light industrial estate into a housing estate! But surely with a bit of negotiation, they could have persuaded the developer to provide something more suitable?
Even Elizabeth Townsend – Chairman of Cranleigh Parish Council appeared unperturbed that the former industrial estate, which will further urbanise the once rural area of west Cranleigh, and change it beyond recognition. But she did voice her concerns about landscaping near the entrance, the treatment of the ancient woodland, and the possible overlooking of cottages nearby by such large buildings.
However, 17 members of the Joint Planning Committee granted the reserved matters with four abstentions – so life goes on over there as another set of bulldozers and HGV’s roll into -“Poor Old Cranleigh!”
Here’s the village’s design statement for what it’s worth! And – here’s a decent Alfold Councillor Kevin Deanus telling the planners exactly what he thinks of the plan!
