Sir, – I have just returned from holiday to find the spat that has taken place between Mr Thwaites of Waverley Borough Council and Michael Murphy of The Farnham Buildings Preservation Trust, of which I am a trustee. I have been involved in the trust since its setting up by John Verney and Dick Dufty in the 1960s. We were active in helping to save the Maltings by raising charitable money to purchase the cottages in Bridge Square and since that time have been successful in saving other old premises, often in conjunction with building owners, including the rector of St Andrews and Waverley itself. It would be sad if any dispute should put at risk the goodwill and co-operation that has existed between Waverley and the trust. We became alarmed when Waverley announced its intention to have the listed status on Brightwell House removed. Waverley and its predecessor, Farnham UDC, had owned the building since the 1920s and the proposal could clearly have led to its demolition. It stands in the middle of a large site that Waverley and other land owners are seeking to redevelop and it's hardly rocket science to state that a cleared site is more easily and profitably developed. I spent many years of my professional life advising land owners and developers on matters of value. Michael Murphy's photographs in your issue of September 2 clearly illustrate the dereliction that Waverley has allowed to take place. Thieves have stolen a fireplace via entry through the roof and there is water damage to ceilings and some floor boards have been removed. I doubt whether Mr Thwaites would allow a private owner of a listed building to continue in this way. He implies that the occupation by Winter Watch over the Christmas period is necessary to allow the building to be used, heated and ventilated. That occupation is for a comparatively short period. Brightwell House should be heated and inspected throughout the winter period. Mr Thwaites also points to the care that the proposed developers have taken when dealing with historic buildings. That is irrelevant as they have no title to this building and are not responsible for its upkeep. That is down to Mr Thwaites and his colleagues. I'm rather old fashioned in that I believe that council officials should offer advice and guidance to elected members for they are not in post to make announcements of policy and the like. They are public servants. Our trust's last chairman, Chris Mansell, is now the elected councillor in charge of the proposed development. I have immense respect for Chris and I'm sure that he will take steps to secure Brightwell House and its future. Laurence Kinney, Old Park Lane, Farnham
