PLANS to house a youth and leisure centre for young disabled people at the former Park School site in St James Avenue hang in the balance.

Guildford-based charity Disability Challenge has approached Surrey County Council, offering to buy the property for £2.3 million.

However, the charity's chief executive, Rick Law, claims the council is reluctant to enter negotiations and is holding out for a more profitable offer.

The charity's Guildford centre comprises leisure and play facilities for disabled young people, including an adventure playground, a multi sensory unit and a youth project.

Mr Law is keen to replicate these facilities in Farnham and has received full support from residents who opposed the failed application by Barratts Homes to build on the site.

Barratts submitted two applications, the first back in October last year, which proposed the demolition of the school building to provide 39 homes, ten of which would be affordable housing.

Residents wanted the existing buildings to be retained and argued that the development would not be in keeping with other property in St James Avenue and Adams Park Road.

Further contention arose over Surrey County Council's marketing of the site, which residents claimed was motivated by profits and had not explored potential charitable and community uses.

Surrey County Council has always maintained that it is legally obliged to obtain the highest price for the site, a claim refuted by Mr Law,

"This business of the council being duty bound to sell the site for the maximum amount of money is simply not true.

"The point is the council has a building, surplus to requirements, and we are an organisation prepared to buy it.

"We're not asking them for a penny and it isn't like we are only offering £5,000.

"It hardly seems in line with government strategy which urges local councils to work with voluntary sectors. Surrey County Council should wake up to the opportunity.

"The beauty of our application, is that we plan to retain the school buildings, and restore the playground and playing fields. We would keep the exterior as it is, but change the interior.

"The building is already perfect for for our needs because it is on just one level. The problem is Surrey are stalling and while this is happening, the building is rapidly deteriorating which means that refurbishment costs will rise.

No-one from Surrey County Council was available for comment.