Plans to build 28 homes in the grounds of Longdene House in Haslemere have been blocked by a High Court judge.

The latest bid in a lengthy campaign by developers Monkhill Ltd for a major housing development in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) failed last week.

Justice Holgate backed a planning inspector’s ruling in January that the scheme’s impact on the AONB should be given more weight than Waverley Borough Council’s lack of a five-year housing land supply plan.

When Monkhill’s appeal was refused, following Waverley’s rejection of a scheme to convert Longdene House in Hedgehog Lane from office to residential use and to build 28 new homes in the grounds, the developers mounted a High Court challenge against the Secretary of State for Housing.

Monkhill objected that the planning inspector had misapplied the National Planning Policy Framework by rejecting the scheme, because when a local authority lacks a five-year housing supply the presumption is in favour of new development.

Welcoming the High Court verdict, a Waverley spokesman said: “The planning inspector found the proposed development would have had a significant adverse effect on the character and appearance of the area, most of which lies within the Surrey Hills AONB and thus has the highest status of protection.

“The judge commented that the inspector’s exercise of planning judgement could not be faulted.” The High Court judgement could mean a second appeal by Monkhill due to be heard in October against Waverley’s refusal to grant a smilar scheme, will not now go ahead.

Longdene Action group leader Michael Barnes said: “We are delighted with the positive news relating to Longdene House.

“We are intending to secure what is the final decision about this housing development from Waverley and the Planning Inspectorate.”