Waverley Borough Council has come under fire for its "premature" decision to press ahead with a controversial scheme to refurbish Wey Hill car park and make it pay and display.

The Haslemere Society joined traders in condemning the recommendation voted through by Waverley's executive committee on Tuesday night to authorise the preparation and submision of a fresh application for commonland consent to refurbish the free fairground car park and charge for the 130 spaces to be provided.

The borough council triggered a stream of protests in April when it confirmed it was pressing ahead with the scheme for the area of commonland – relying on a 1994 consent from the Department of the Environment.

Objectors protested there should have been a full public consultation before the plan was progressed but Waverley said there had been no objections when it originally went out to consultation last October.

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