CONCERN that more than 415 new homes could be built on the old King Edward VII Hospital site have been voiced after the developer's announcement it wants to offload the new-build element.

Haslemere Society president Robert Serman has expressed fresh concerns about the latest twist in the "audacious application" by City & Country, which was given the green light by South Downs National Park Authority.

The proposals for a major residential development within a relatively remote area of the park represented a significant departure from national policy and the district development plan.

But the authority considered that agreeing the new build "enabling development" was the best way to fund the restoration of the historic grade two buildings and gardens and secure them for future generations.

For full story, see this week's Haslemere Herald.