OBJECTORS to a plan to build a salt depot for winter gritting on farmland compulsorily purchased for the Hindhead Tunnel project, scored a victory when it was rejected by Waverley’s planning committee.

Kier Highways, applied in May to Waverley Borough Council, on behalf of Highways England, to demolish the existing buildings next to the A3, and build a 16ft high concrete store for 1,500 tonnes of road salt at Hindhead Hill Farm.

The application for a salt depot to house four gritter lorries at Bedford Lane, in the Green Belt, inside the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, triggered 150 letters of objection.

Planning officers had recommended Waverley’s central area planning committee should approve the application at their September meeting, but committee members voted to reject it by eight-two.

Neighbouring resident Tony Kelly told the meeting there were no special circumstances to justify a Green Belt development that would cause noise, light and salt pollution.

Mr Kelly described the officer’s report as “completely flawed,” because he did not believe four suitable alternative sites had been investigated.

“I’m not against salting the A3,” he said. “But the report allows Keir and Highways England to ride roughshod over us, contrary to the original promise to return the site to an agricultural unit.”

Backing the objections by residents, Thursley Parish Council chairman Peter Hunter said: “This will create noise and light pollution on both sides of the A3.

“A firm commitment was made at the Hindhead Tunnel Inquiry, in 2004, that the site would be returned to its original condition as an agricultural unit.”

Speaking in support of the plan, Edward Nicholls from Highways England, urged the committee to approve the depot, as it was needed for “essential winter maintenance”.

The existing depot on MoD land at Longmoor Military Camp was on a temporary lease that might not be renewed, he said.

Highways England claimed Hindhead Hill Farm was the best site, because it was owned by the agency and selling the site would not raise enough money to build one elsewhere.

Councillor Peter Martin supported the plan. “I don’t see it as a big incursion in AONB,” he said.

“It provides a very essential facility with four lorries in winter months when it gets close to freezing.”

But fellow committee members did not see the need to relocate from Longmoor.

Councillor Stefan Reynolds said: “I agree the A3 needs salting but I’m not convinced this is the right place.” “It seems as if they have purchased the site and are hell bent on building it without considering alternatives.”