THE Brightwells East Street regeneration in Farnham town centre is 'shovel ready', subject to a funding partner being found, after Waverley Borough Council granted itself planning permission for crucial enabling works last week.

In a split vote at the November 12 meeting of Waverley's joint planning committee, councillors consented to a temporary extension to the Riverside 2 car park to compensate for a loss of parking facilities during the construction of Brightwells.

It represents one of the last stumbling blocks for Waverley's fiercely opposed redevelopment project, which proposes 239 new homes, an Odeon cinema, high street shops and restaurants on land south of East Street.

For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.