Developer defends funding offer in planning challenge

The leader of Farnham Town Council said he was 'astounded' by the approach

A developer has defended its £200,000 cash offer to a tennis club which approached a Surrey council to drop a legal challenge against a planning application.

Wates Developments offered the money to the Bourne Club, in Farnham, whose president, Stephen Matthews, wrote to Farnham Town Council to request a meeting to discuss the offer, which would be paid to the club should the council withdraw a legal challenge in connection with a housing development.

A Wates spokesperson said the offer was made as part of "without prejudice negotiations", adding that money being spent on legal matters could be put "to better use through investment in the local community".

The town council said it was "astounded" to be approached with the proposal.

The council is challenging approval of plans for 146 homes on land off Waverley Lane at the High Court on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The Bourne Club approached the town council regarding the proposal

Graham White, leader of Farnham Town Council, said the decision to challenge the decision on Wates' application "was not taken lightly".

Mr Matthews said Wates would also meet the town council’s legal expenses to this point as a gesture of goodwill so the matter could be closed.

Mr White said: "This council will not be swayed by the offer of large sums of money to overturn an important principle."

He added the council was "astounded" that a developer of Wates’ "standing and reputation" would make such an approach to the council via a third party.

The spokesperson for Wates said a legal challenge meant taxpayer money was being spent on "extensive legal fees" and was delaying the delivery of "much-needed" new homes, including affordable ones.

“Wates would rather put its funds to better use through investment in the local community – which is why we made this offer as part of without prejudice negotiations," the person said.

The company said its offer was made in April following legal advice that was also made available to the town council.