Plans for 63 homes on the edge of Cranleigh have been approved despite flood and sewage concerns as Waverley Borough Council’s chronic housing shortage bites.

The Ruffold Farm site on Guildford Road was recommended for approval by officers, as the council only has enough designated land to last the next year-and-a-half.

This shortage strips authorities of much of their power to stop speculative, unsustainable applications where it is considered the desperate need for housing outweighs the potential harm it would have on the wider area.

As such the bid, which includes 19 affordable units, was signed off by the July planning committee by seven votes to one.

Open space in Cranleigh to be turned into housing. Picture courtesy of Google

placeholder image — Open space in Cranleigh to be turned into housing. Picture courtesy of Google

Councillor Liz Townsend, ward member for Cranleigh West, said: ”It is extremely disappointing that we are considering major residential development beyond the settlement boundary.”

She added: “I remain unconvinced that wastewater infrastructure can adequately accommodate this development.

“Residents in Cranleigh, like those in Alfold, continue to experience sewage backing up into their homes and overflowing into their gardens.”

Tim Doors, on behalf of the developers Mr & Mrs Rowe, said the application would provide 30 per cent affordable housing and was on open land rather than designated green belt.

He said the estate had easy walking access to Cranleigh High Street and added: “The new dwellings would not be isolated from services.

“The council can not demonstrate five years of deliverable housing sites, at a supply of 1.28 years.

“There is a pressing need for the supply of new housing to be increased, and it is sites such as this on the edge of urban areas that need to be conceded and granted permission to provide for more housing.”

The meeting heard that the site had been subject to two other applications in the past, one for 20 houses and a second for 78, but the council was in a stronger land supply position at that point and was able to reject them.

The mood in the room was summed up by Councillor Peter Clarke, who, like Councillor Carol Coleman before him, acknowledged the restrictions the council faced – as it would almost certainly be approved on appeal and land the council with a major bill.

He added: “It is a site which is beautiful, but it’s also a site where people would find it beautiful to live.”