THE theatre group hoping to save the Redgrave is refusing to throw in the towel despite moves geared towards its possible demolition.

The New Farnham Repertory Company is not deterred by last week's news that a Waverley council committee has voted to de-list Brightwell House, which adjoins the theatre, paving the way for its demolition and that of the Redgrave.

This would leave any developers involved in the regeneration of East Street an "unencumbered site", said Waverley councillor Peter Burden last week.

Initial approval - despite strong opposition from Liberal Democrats on the Tory-controlled council - will have to be ratified by the council's executive on August 28.

Despite what seems to be yet another death knell for the Redgrave, the New Farnham Repertory Company (NFRC) feels it could find a developer who wants theatre to feature in East Street redevelopment plans.

In a statement issued to The Herald, the group says: "The NFRC firmly believes that not all developers are philistines and vandals.

"A visionary developer will realise that the only way forward to ensure financial success for the East Street site is to give it a cultural centrepiece which will attract people into the town from outlying villages and the surrounding district."

The statement continues: "A small repertory theatre open all day until late at night is of course the perfect answer. Some councillors on Waverley Borough Council do not believe such a person exists. They are wrong."

The NFRC is urging Waverley to begin talks with potential developers "immediately".

Meanwhile, The Farnham Building Preservation Trust officially "deplores" the de-listing move.

In a statement, the trust said there were scenes of "anger and outrage" at its annual general meeting.

President of the trust and Waverley councillor Michael Blower, who last week voted against the de-listing, said the house and garden were of great historical importance.

A member of the listed buildings working party, which established the Brightwell House listing in 1969, Mr Blower said he did not want to see that hard work undone.

At the end of their meeting, members of the trust passed a resolution which reads: "The Farnham Building Preservation Trust deplores the proposed de-listing of Brightwell House and the reported suggestion that the building is an "encumbrance" in the East Street regeneration scheme.

"Brightwell House and its gardens are of unique importance in historic, conservation and environmental terms and they represent an essential focal point in the heart of Farnham."

Mr Blower, a former architect, and Bryan Sell, former Mayor of Farnham were visiting Brightwell House to prepare a report on its condition as The Herald went to press on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, a Waverley spokesman stressed that moves towards de-listing should not necessarily be seen as synonymous with demolition.

"We're not promoting the demolition of the building, we're just giving any developers the option to do so if they feel it appropriate."

If councillors on Waverley's executive ratify the de-listing recommendation later this month, it will have to be approved by the relevant secretary of state.

As this is a planning matter, it is likely the final decision will rest with Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett.

The Waverley spokesman said it would be impossible to predict how likely approval for de-listing would be from the secretary of state.