THE councillor leading the redevelopment of East Street has issued a rallying call to the Farnham public.

Captain Peter Burden, who has steered the project since 1999, has urged Farnham to support the £100 million redevelopment, arguing people still have a role to play in the forthcoming public exhibitions and workshops which will seek their views.

"We started off with two exhibitions in 1999 at which people said what they wanted and now it's going full circle and we're asking them again," he said.

Capt Burden pointed out that developers Crest Nicholson are currently drawing up a questionnaire which will be handed out at the exhibitions and workshops.

Asked how much influence public opinion might have, he responded: "Considerable, certainly as far as architecture is concerned."

He added that Crest Nicholson will unveil numerous proposals, with, for example, differing designs for the new Sainsbury's town centre store and the new hotel in South Street.

Addressing concerns from some quarters that the project is being rushed, he said there are a number of reasons why time is of the essence.

One reason is to ensure that the redevelopment is complete before the hoped-for construction of the Hickley's Corner underpass.

Providing Surrey succeeds in winning central government funding for the £15 million scheme, that work is expected to start in 2007/8 - though Capt Burden thinks 2008 is more likely.

The portfolio holder for the redevelopment of East Street also cited possible changes in the structure of local government which could see the creation of a Blackwater Valley "sub region", with its own structure plan determining major planning policy.

"Within the next two or three months we will see a proposal for this sub-region. It's a drive towards regional authorities that are unelected and would control planning. Let's do the East Street redevelopment now while it's under our control. Will we get another opportunity like this again? I don't think so."

He added: "In what is not a good financial climate we have a developer who wants to get on with this project. Waverley will lose credibility if we dither and delay."

Another frequent charge is that Waverley selected the Crest Nicholson scheme because it offered the most money. Members of Waverley's Conservative group, which selected Crest's scheme against Liberal Democrat opposition, said they did so primarily because it best fitted the stipulations of the development brief.

The fact that it appears the most profitable scheme is, they have insisted, a happy fringe benefit.

"On the subject of money, I don't think Waverley will get a significant premium once we have secured all the things we want for Farnham," he said.

Capt Burden offered hope to those disappointed that the 1960s Woolmead building will not be part of the current redevelopment plans.

He told The Herald he believes Woolmead owners Isis, formerly Friends Provident, although committed to the building until 2008 when leases expire, could have a change of heart once the company sees the benefits of the East Street regeneration.

"I hope commercial sense will come to the fore and they will choose to join in, which I think they will if it's shown it will be in their interests," he said.

Capt Burden expects the defunct Redgrave Theatre building to be demolished and, despite the East Street regeneration not offering any theatre facilities, said: "We must harness the enthusiasm and single-mindedness of the New Farnham Repertory Company."

He said he would help try to find the theatre group a home, referring to The Maltings, though that venue has already been dismissed by the NFRC.

Despite suspicions from some quarters, Capt Burden was adamant there will be no buildings above four storeys in height, as dictated by the planning brief drawn up by Waverley.

Capt Burden scotched a suggestion made to The Herald this week by local campaigner Jeremy Hyman, that he and colleagues will rewrite the development brief to suit the developers.

Capt Burden said the only changes that could be made to the brief would be to ensure better facilities for community groups such as the Citizens' Advice Bureau.