A PLANNING application to demolish a bungalow at Tilford Road, Hindhead, and replace it with a pair of three-bedroom homes and a detached, four-bedroom house was turned down by Waverley planning committee, despite officers recommending approval. Waverley Borough Council's southern area planning committee rejected the plan for the homes at Grasmere. There were 16 letters of objection and Haslemere Town Council objected on the grounds of overdevelopment, adding a new access proposed onto the already busy Tilford Road could also exacerbate existing problems of dangerous access to and from Tower Road. The objections included concerns over parking and turning space, overdevelopment, highway safety, traffic congestion and that there was no need for more houses in the area. But planning officers said the plan to replace the bungalow was "in keeping with the character of the surrounding area and would contribute to meeting the need for new homes." Neighbour Pippa Cuckson said: "Waverley stuck rigidly to its consultation process, and so as well as the National Trust not needing to be invited to comment, several property owners who regarded themselves as neighbours were also excluded. In fact, a strong campaign forced a site meeting, and then saw this application refused contrary to officer's recommendation. Though no doubt it will go to appeal, we felt it was a small victory against garden grabbing."