WORK on the re-development of East Street is expected to start within 18 months to two years, by which time six years will have elapsed since the re-generation drive started.

And Farnham Town Council has been told that whatever the shape the re-development will take, it will be led by planning policy not by the eventual developers.

In a presentation by Waverley's chief planning officer Stephen Thwaites and property adviser Miller Stevenson, councillors heard that the ball started rolling in January 1997 when a Waverley committee raised the run-down state of East Street.

Four months later a steering group was formed and in May 1998 the public had its chance to draw up a wish-list for the area at a public exhibition.

A masterplan followed in March 1999 and since February this year officers have been working on a planning brief for developers.

Miller Stevenson said after seeking expressions of interest he expected a shortlist of developers to have been drawn up within six to eight weeks.

Within a year, he expects a final developer to have been chosen and for work to start in 18 months to two years.

After the presentation, councillors raised fears about Brightwell House and expressed a desire for a design sympathetic to Farnham's character.

On the de-listing of Brightwell House, Miller Stevenson said: "We're trying to offer as flexible a package as possible. We're not advocating the demolition of Brightwell House. Our development brief says there is a presumption against demolition and we're trying to to see if a developer can come up with a scheme that won't mean that."

Mr Stevenson added: "We're adamant that the design and materials will be of the highest quality. Farnham deserves it and we're determined to get it."

Mr Stevenson reassured councillors that existing community facilities in the East Street area of development such as the Brightwell Bowling Club will stay or be re-located.