A CONSORTIUM'S proposals to secure the future of the Redgrave Theatre building as part of the East Street regeneration drew no comment this week from developers Crest Nicholson Sainsbury's. A CNS spokesman would say only that the developers were "considering" the outline proposal, which includes creating additional office and retail space and a 100-space nursery by means of a wrap-round building enclosing the Redgrave, with a two or three- screen cinema set above the theatre. Waverley Council was likewise unwilling to comment, other than to say: "The site is subject to a contractual arrangement between Waverley Borough Council and Crest Nicholson. Therefore, for contractual reasons, it would not be appropriate to open any negotiations with other developers. "However, should Crest Nicholson wish to raise the matter, the director of planning is aware of the proposals." More forthright in its verdict on the proposals by Gracechurch and Active Learning was spokesman for pressure group East Street Action, Roger Steel, who declared: "East Street Action does not support this concept at all." Mr Steel stressed: "What we are working for is a smaller development. All this does, quite frankly, is take a Grade II listed building (Brightwell House) and puts it in an inappropriate setting. "At the same time, it adds 15,000 square feet of commercial space to the development, which is against everything we are all trying to achieve." Anne Cooper, chairman of the newly formed Farnham Theatre Association, which is fundraising to finance a professional business plan to prove the viability of theatre in Farnham, commented: "Whether cinema studios could be placed over the Redgrave auditorium and foyer has been the subject of debate for many years. "This is not a new suggestion. But it has yet to be demonstrated that this could be achieved practically and viably, and without dwarfing Grade II Listed Brightwell House. "However, the idea of combining in some way, a small cinema with the theatre is a good one and needs further investigation." Mrs Cooper said that the FTA was approached by Gracechurch and Active Learning for advice over the issue of retaining the Brightwell House/Redgrave buildings as a working theatre. FTA's role has been solely to ensure that any proposals would protect the listed buildings and the successful operation of the theatre. "FTA regard their submission as a discussion document and that the ideas contained in it are open for debate and alteration. Until FTA can see plans, we are unable wholly to assess the suitability of this particular set of ideas." Mrs Cooper stressed that the association looked forward to discussing the issues with all the parties involved and was open to seeing any further ideas for incorporating the theatre into the scheme, whatever their source or origin. "Our purpose is to provide Farnham with a theatre, whether as a refurbished Redgrave (the first and cheapest option) or by a new build, which must be as good as, if not better than, the existing theatre. "We are willing to enter into discussions with anyone wishing to put money in to this theatre project – the more interest there is, the better."
