IN a fresh twist to outline plans to build 1,800 homes at Dunsfold Park, Waverley Borough Council has turned down an application for the former Second World War airfield to be designated a conservation area.

The application was approved by Waverley but now hangs in the balance, following two separate challenges. The housing scheme has been called in by the Secretary of State to be determined following a public inquiry in July and the way in which Waverley approved the application is the subject of a judicial review, also to be held next month.

Both the inquiry and the judicial review decisions will be made after Waverley’s draft local plan, which relies on up to 2,600 houses being built on the site to meet housing targets, is examined by a planning inspector in hearings at the borough council offices due to start on June 27.

A new community group Dunsfold Airfield History Society (DAHS) had urged that the historic Canadian-built aerodrome, where the Harrier jump jet was subsequently developed and which is now home to BBC Top Gear, should be preserved as a way of protecting it from inappropriate development.

But members of Waverley Executive agreed at their meeting on June 6 to their officer’s recommendation the site should not be designated.

Their decision followed a public consultation in which 79 response in support were received.

Writing in support, Alfold Parish Council described the plan to build 1,800 homes as “both large and dramatic in a rural area. Conservation area designation will not prevent the development but will conserve and enhance the historic areas.”

Historic England responded to say the site could benefit from some sort of designation but that would be a local judgement and Waverley’s historic buildings officer concluded the airfield should be regarded as a “non-designated” heritage asset.

“This decision by Waverley is hugely disappointing and clearly flies against the overwhelming views of the local population, and people interested in the proper conservation and celebration of the heritage of this unique site,” a DAHS spokesman said.