WAVERLEY was urged to be more pro-active and involve councillors more in the vital discussions on where to build 519 houses a year until 2032, when its full council met last week.

Greenfield sites in Farnham and Cranleigh have been identified as possible locations for thousands of the new homes increased government housing targets require for the borough.

Breaking ranks, Tory Cranleigh borough councillor Mary Foryszewski said Waverley seemed to lack a sense of urgency in ensuring it had a new Local Plan in place to prevent the borough becoming a free-for-all for developers.

Members of the council’s executive at its meeting earlier this month, criticised Waverley’s “emerging spatial strategy” document, as disappointing and urged the council to get a move on.

The document identified Dunsfold Park as a possible site for either 1,800, 2,600 or 3,400 houses – but only if a transport assessment commissioned by the borough council – but not yet completed – was in favour.

The document was described as a “direction of travel” rather than a strategy at the executive meeting and demoted to the secondary “matters of report” section of the full council agenda.

“I feel as though I’m banging my head against a brick wall,” Mrs Foryszewski told the meeting.

“It’s my duty to be here for all the hard-working people of Cranleigh to protect their environment.

“I was pleased to see the emerging spatial strategy come forward but very disappointed that we are looking at it under part two.

“If this is what’s emerging from the Local Plan, not much is emerging, sadly.

“Waverley should take the lead. It’s lost its passion and drive. Can we have a Local Plan and can we be more involved, while we are waiting for the outcome of planning appeals to see if we have a five-year supply of housing.”

Conservative deputy leader Julia Potts said: “I do feel we are doing all we can given the many uncertainties. We have to ensure we have a robust evidence-based Local Plan.”

Independent Andy Macleod, from Farnham, said: “I have concerns about the spatial strategy. It’s all very well saying there is a requirement of 519 houses by 2032, but can we deliver 519?”

Waverley’s Tory leader Robert Knowles said: “It’s up to the developers to deliver 519, but prior to that we have to test that and we need the evidence to test that. It could be a much lower figure due to constraints.

“If we need to go to public consultation again we will take legal counsel advice.”

Speaking out in the questions slot before the meeting, Liberal Democrats chairman Stewart Edge said: “This increase in 1,250 houses on greenfield sites in Waverley seems to have been agreed as the basis for the new spatial strategy without any reference to full council.

“Could the leader of the council agree the portfolio holder for planning [Brian Adams] is wrong to rule out any assessment of the capacity of Dunsfold to take 4,800 houses?”

Mr Knowles responded: “I can confirm I agree the position stated by councillor Brian Adams that 4,800 houses was not considered an option in the public consultation in 2014, and there is no reason to consider it as an option now.”

Dunsfold Park submitted outline plans for 1,800 new homes on December 7.

Responding, Mr Adams said: “We welcome this.

“Once necessary documentation has arrived we will commence a long period of consultation and undertake a proper assessment of all the issues.

“I anticipate this work will take several months.”

Waverley will make further announcements about the application once the plans are available for public view and the consultation period has started.