EAST Street developers Crest Nicholson have said they are about to take fresh steps to "support their contractual position and their commitment to delivering the redevelopment", possibly through seeking a public inquiry. A duplicate of the company's 2006 outline planning application is to be submitted shortly. It is a ploy often used by developers, enabling them to launch an appeal over one application where the statutory time limit for consideration has been exceeded, while the second application continues through the planning system. "This isn't a decision to appeal the application at this stage, although it does open up the possibility to appeal at some point in the future, while still keeping the application moving," Crest explained. A more detailed planning application will be submitted within the month, the developers also revealed. "This is likely to be a hybrid application, incorporating minor variations to the plans following comments and suggestions from statutory consultees and the South East Regional Design Panel (SERDP) as a result of the outline application." It will include detailed architectural designs for most of the scheme and will be supported with an updated Environmental Statement, including Traffic Impact Assessment. The submission of both planning applications still allows for further amendments to the plans, said the developers, adding: "We look to continuing working with members - of all political persuasions - to address areas of concern and further improve the scheme as it moves through the planning process." But Liberal Democrats have suggested that "Tory and Independent bickering over the developer's proposals for East Street may be provoking the developer to exercise his right to appeal", potentially taking the decision out of Waverley's hands. This was dismissed as "nonsense" and "desperation" by Conservative group leader Richard Gates, who ventured the developer's action was more about the amount of time Lib Dems were taking to bring the application before councillors. The whole East Street saga has dominated campaigning in Farnham this week, in the lead up to the May 3 local elections. Claims and counter claims from the main political parties over what part each has played in the scenario have left many of the electorate bemused. In their literature, Lib Dems have stressed: "We inherited a binding contract signed by the previous Conservative for a project which was bigger than the current scheme. "We sought fresh public opinion, then set about encouraging the developer to make changes." Meanwhile, the Conservatives have demanded: "Why didn't the Lib Dems renegotiate the contract four years ago - as they promised - to produce something Farnham people wanted? Answer: they were too greedy and wanted money for out-of- town schemes." "We've changed from Conservatives to Liberal Democrats and now everybody's chasing everyone else and accusing everybody else of doing it," was the reaction of one voter, Doug Hall, to the dilemma. The public has had to judge between Tory complaints that the scheme contains "118 fewer parking spaces in the centre of Farnham than at present" and Lib Dem assertion of "200 more spaces". The Conservatives found themselves reported to returning officer Robin Pellow by Independent candidate Jerry Hyman, over an incorrect statement in their leaflet "A Fresh Start for East Street". The leaflet stated that "not one Waverley Conservative" voted in support of continuing the contract, whereas in fact three councillors - from Haslemere, Alfold and Cranleigh - had done so. The party amended the release on its website to "not one Farnham Waverley Conservative" and attempted - though not 100 per cent successfully - to halt any further of the leaflets being delivered. Mr Pellow said he was satisfied with the action taken, while Conservative group leader Richard Gates stressed that the leaflet had been circulated to Farnham households only. "We don't think that, given the context it was issued in, that it was misleading in the first place," he declared. "It is not a Waverley-wide issue." Nevertheless, the battle for the 18 Farnham seats on Waverley could dramatically affect control of the council, which currently comprises 27 Lib Dems, 26 Conservatives and four Independents. Farnham Town Council comprises 10 Lib Dems, five Conservatives and three Independents.
