Planning Approval for Dunsfold Development Granted Following High Court Ruling

Published on: 21 Feb, 2025
Updated on: 23 Feb, 2025

CGI of the now approved houses for Dunsfold following High Court ruling.

By Chris Caulfield

local democracy reporter

Hopes of preserving the “unique character” of the Surrey Hills were dashed after a Judicial Review challenge against plans to build 53 homes in Dunsfold was thrown out by the High Court.

Waverley Borough Council, which brought the JR case, called it a “worrying decision” however the developers said it would bring much-needed housing and critically needed affordable housing to the area.

The council was looking to overturn the Secretary of State decision in May 2024 to allow the 53 homes project to go ahead – of which 16 are designated affordable.

The earlier planning appeal decision had been made in part because the council can not demonstrate it has enough land to meet targets and because inspectors felt the homes would not significantly impact on views of the Surrey Hills.

Geoff Potton, chief executive of Sigma Homes, said: “After both significant time and money wasted, we are relieved to have finally received the approval and go-ahead for this project.

“Unfortunately, planning applications taking years to get approved is all too common in the housebuilding industry, piling financial strain onto developers, and preventing much-needed homes from being built.

“In this case at Dunsfold, these unnecessary delays have also cost Waverley Council several tens of thousands of pounds – wasting taxpayers’ money.”

“The lack of new housing in Dunsfold over the past eight years speaks volumes about the challenges we face.

“These homes will offer first-time buyers and families a rare opportunity to own an energy-efficient home in the area.”

Councils must provide enough land to meet five years worth of housing requirements. If they do not there is a presumption in favour of sustainable development – in essence developers have a much freer rein on where and what to build.

The failure to build Dunsfold Park into a major homes scheme has resulted in Waverley Borough Council’s land supply sitting at just 1.28 years. This would fall further if, as expected, new housing targets come into effect.

Waverley Borough Council’s challenge was based on the development’s impact on landscape and visual impact conclusions of the Inspector in respect of the relationship with the Surrey Hills National Landscape.

The new development, off Dunsfold Common Road, will feature a mix of one to four-bedroom homes, with 30 per cent allocated as affordable housing.

The land is part brownfield and includes a residential property with equestrian facilities including stable blocks.

Cllr Liz Townsend

Cllr Liz Townsend (Lib Dem, Cranleigh West), Waverley Borough Council portfolio holder for planning and economic development, said:

“Waverley Borough Council takes its responsibility to protect the unique character of our area very seriously.

“This is a very worrying decision. It sets a troubling precedent, highlighting the lack of weight given to the harm caused to the setting of the Surrey Hills National Landscape (previously known as the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

“In granting approval for the development at appeal last year, the Inspector acknowledged the harm that would result from the relationship of the development with the Surrey Hills National Landscape.

“Our position remains that we believe the inspector should have given this harm more weight in his decision, than he gave to the lack of the five-year housing land supply.

“The council works proactively with developers to try to ensure that housing is delivered in sustainable locations within the borough and not delivered in places that cause acknowledged harm to the Surrey Hills National Landscape.”