PLANS to demolish two neighbouring homes in ‘spacious plots,’ near Swan Barn Farm, in Haslemere, to make way for a new development of 23 luxury retirement flats were rejected by a planning inspector.

The proposed building, rising from two to three-and-a-half storeys, was proposed by Renaissance Retirement on a two-acre site at Nos. 38 and 40 Petworth Road.

Renaissance Retirements went to appeal after Waverley planners rejected the scheme as being ‘out of keeping’ with neighbouring homes and a hearing was held at the borough council offices in January.

The appeal inspector noted the proposed building would be ‘an overly large and dominant feature within the area,’ and as an ‘incongruous and obtrusive insertion’ would consequently be harmful to its character.

The inspector concluded: “The main parties do not dispute the increasingly elderly nature of the population in the district, and the significant unmet need for more sheltered residential accommodation, and I accept the potential benefits arising from the provision of such accommodation for its occupiers and in terms of supporting local services and facilities and potentially freeing other housing stock.

“However, these do not constitute material considerations of sufficient weight to overcome the harm I have identified to the character and appearance of the area and the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers, and the conflict with development plan policy. ”