PREPARATORY work for the East Street development could start at Farnham's Riverside as early as next month, if Waverley councillors give the go-ahead to pay for it.

The council's executive will be told next Tuesday that a start on the main site could be possible early in 2013 - but only if removing and burying of existing overhead electricity cables at the Riverside has been accomplished.

The cables carry a significant power load and the electricity company is insisting that the project to relocate the cables be carried out during July and August, when demand is low.

But there will be a whole year's delay, putting a start on the main site back to 2014, unless necessary clearance of a corridor of vegetation takes place this February and March before the bird nesting season.

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