PLANS for a multi-use games area (MUGA) with raised walkways at Undershaw, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s former Hindhead home, were unanimously approved by Waverley planners last week.

But Undershaw Preservation Trust co-founder John Gibson, who urged Waverley’s southern area planning committee to reject the application last Wednesday, made a formal complaint to the borough council afterwards about its handling of the project to restore and extend the grade II listed building as the new home of Stepping Stones School.

Speaking in the public slot before last week’s meeting, Mr Gibson described the MUGA as a “further impediment to the view, reminiscent of a Disneyland folly”.

He alleged original steel windows, an 1897 fireplace and internal doors that could and should have been restored, had instead been removed and some items that had been restored were now on sale, with Doyle’s provenance, through architectural salvage dealers.

Speaking after Mr Gibson, Stepping Stones School chief executive Norman Stromsoy urged the committee to approve the plan as a “vital requirement”.

Haslemere MP Jeremy Hunt is due to open its new home on September 9.

“The effect of this plan will be to recreate the views of the Surrey Hills which were enjoyed by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,” Mr Stromsoy said.

“The walking part will be raised to give views back to the house.”

He told the committee that work to restore Undershaw had been “meticulous” and Mr Gibson was “completely wrong”.

Committee members all spoke in support of the application, prompting Farnham councillor Carole Cockburn, who chaired the meeting, to say she had “never known such unanimity”.

Hindhead councillor Christian Hesse said: “It is important we allow the school to be a good as it can.

“If the MUGA is as high a standard as the rest of the shame, we have nothing to worry about.”

Haslemere councillor Jim Edwards added: “I understand Mr Gibson’s passion for the old part and I appreciate his concern, but on balance I think this is a big improvement”.

After the meeting, Mr Gibson pursued his objections that the restoration of the house Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had designed down to the last detail, had not been taken seriously, by complaining to Waverley leader Julia Potts that the removal of original features raised “very serious questions” about its level of scrutiny of the restoration of a grade II listed building.

Responding to Mr Gibson’s complaint, Mr Stromsoy said: “At the time of the planning meeting, I assumed Mr Gibson was referring to the stained-glass windows when he said they had been skipped. As I had seen the lovely stained-glass windows we had restored that very afternoon I was astonished by his comments and was unaware anything had been disposed of in the way he suggested.

“It now appears he was referring to the plain glass Crittall windows that had to be replaced with the agreement of Waverley. The leaded panels were all conserved and repaired at great expense and used in the ‘new’ Crittall frames.

“This is apparently normal practice with windows of this age, many of which were damaged.

“It seems most of the doors were taken from the 1920s hotel extension.

“We retained most of the doors from the old house together with the door furniture but as a school we must conform to fire safety standards.

“I have no concern that the contractors disposed of these surplus doors.

“I understand a large number of small fireplaces from the old hotel were removed. The best three were used in the old servants’ rooms on the top floor.

‘It does not surprise me that even in the 1920s they used salvaged fireplaces.

“We were pleased at the unanimous support shown for our planning application. We now intend to finish the job and open the school on the site in September. Mr Gibson must now accept his self-appointed task is now done.

“As the owners of this property, we will ensure it is kept in excellent repair and available for future generations.”

A council spokesman said: “Waverley can confirm a complaint has been received about the treatment of windows, internal doors and a fireplace at the property. Planning enforcement officers will be visiting the property to ensure works to the building have been carried out properly.”