Farnham Bunch Lane Triangle Association co-chairman Chris Harrison fears there could be 100-plus extra traffic movements in a single hour in Farnham Lane if the Royal School is able to remove its cap on pupil numbers.

United Learning has submitted an application to modify an existing Section 106 agreement at the Royal School’s Farnham Lane site.

It comes after The Royal Junior School, off Portsmouth Road in Hindhead, was earmarked as a development site for approximately 90 new homes once the school has relocated its nursery and prep school provision to its present site in Farnham Lane, Haslemere.

Farnham Bunch Lane Triangle Association represents 105 households out of more than 300 properties in the area of Farnham Lane and Bunch Lane.

Mr Harrison said: “It is clear the proposals would increase limits to a level more than 2.2 times currently measured levels – a staggering increase in volume.

“Our considered view is any application from United Learning must be based on pupil numbers and incorporate more frequent and effective monitoring of the implementation of a travel plan.

“There remains an absence of data on planned pupil numbers at the Farnham Lane site.

“This is critical for setting out the travel plan.

“United Learning must have a business plan which clearly identifies what they themselves describe as the number of pupils for a “sustainable” and also for a “viable” school.

“Why does United Learning continue to refuse to provide pupil numbers?

“Farnham Lane is not suitable for another 100-plus traffic movements in one hour because of its very specific nature: very steep, long and very narrow.

“It is marked as a single-track road with passing places, although all of these are residents’ driveways.

“The applicant describes Farnham Lane as being four metres wide with passing points. Such a description is in sharp contrast to the reality of the Highway Authority’s description of Farnham Lane.

“There is absolutely no possibility of installing more passing places as almost the entire lane is sunken with no verges.

“Moreover, with the average width of Farnham Lane of four metres, it fails to meet the Surrey Highways Authority’s recommendation of roads being 5.5 metres width with more than 51 dwellings and those with schools.

“Hence, United Learning’s application, analysis and proposals does not address the reality of the nature of Farnham Lane. On this basis, the application should be rejected.

“We consider a cap in pupil numbers should be put in place with the opportunity for review if it can be demonstrated that measures taken to restrict movements have been effectively implemented.”

The Farnham Bunch Lane Triangle Association has put together a residents’ survey on the Section 106 application.

More than 90 per cent of the respondents were in favour of keeping the pupil cap. Sixty-five per cent were in favour of a 20mph limit and 80 per cent from Farnham Lane were concerned about the proposals.

Anyone who would like to view the full plans should visit Waverley Borough Council’s planning website at waverley.gov.uk/planning and search for the planning reference number WA/2021/03150.

United Learning has been approached for a comment.