Hambledon Parish Council held a special additional meeting to consider a proposal by the new owners of Feathercombe Farm to construct what is described as an “agricultural building” in the field known as 14-acre copse between the village church and Hydon’s Ball.
Councillors unanimously opposed the application. The council said that the application did not meet the terms of “Permitted Development” and the building was not for agriculture but for equine purposes in support of the new owner’s polo breeding and selling business. Despite the application stating it was for livestock, it did not meet this definition and was solely for horses, which generally are not regarded as livestock.
Councillors reached this decision at the meeting held at the Village Hall on Tuesday evening (June 27th) which was attended by a large number of villagers as well as two members of the family that have made the application.
One addressed the meeting under the public speaking section. He introduced himself as Coco and said he was attending with his wife Alice Servaes. Essentially, he said that the family had followed the advice of professional consultants. They were still examining proposals to develop existing buildings to fit their purposes. He indicated that subsequent plans for these, if approved, could mean they will not go ahead with the build in 14-acre copse.
Residents and councillors made it clear that they were neither convinced nor reassured by this. Many spoke to express their dismay that an unspoiled location beside a popular footpath within the Green Belt and the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty had been chosen for what was clearly a large stable block and not an agricultural building.
They pointed out what some called an outright untruth that the applicants have stated the site was not close to a footpath or public road, when it was immediately beside footpath 181, in clear view of the Greensand Way long-distance path, and can be seen from the public road by St Peter’s Church, which is in a Conservation Area. When asked if he was happy that the documents they had submitted were “complete and accurate” the speaker on behalf of the applicant said that he was.
Many observed that a 47-metre-long building, with ridge height of more than seven metres containing 12 stable units for foals and breeding stallions, a vet room and an office among other facilities, would clearly need an access road, security, heating and lighting and mains water and drainage, none of which currently exist in the open field site. Light and noise pollution in a tranquil and undeveloped area was another issue.
However, councillors and residents agreed that it was important to enter into constructive and cordial dialogue with the applicants, who are welcome as newcomers to the village community. The parish council said it would be happy to have further meetings with them once the current application has been determined.
The application, which is not made through the full planning process, will be deemed as approved unless Waverley Borough Council objects within 28 days.
The decision is still shown as “pending” on the Waverley planning website at the time of writing this report. Almost 100 villagers have objected to the application, an unprecedented number, as has the Surrey Hills AONB, the National Trust which owns nearby land at Hydon’s Ball, and the Open Spaces Society.
If you would like to see the submission made by Hambledon Parish Council following Tuesday’s meeting, resident comments and the applicant’s plans, you can do so here: