A GROUP of local architects will challenge the public to imagine an ideal future for Farnham in the new year, as well as presenting their own “revisualisations” of the historic Surrey market town.

On Saturday, January 30, around a dozen architects’ practices will together run Recrafting Farnham - a community brainstorm sparked by the display of their ideas for transforming Farnham - at the Farnham Maltings.

Everyone is invited to come to see the architects’ ideas and write or draw their own visualisations for the future of the town, between 10am and 4pm.

The results of Recrafting Farnham will be presented to senior council staff and councillors at a further community event in the spring, which is likely to feature a public debate on housing planning and design.

Recrafting Farnham is the brainchild of Laith Anayi, a long-time resident in the town, director of Stedman Blower Architects in West Street and chairman of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) South East region.

He said: “The emerging Local Plan and Farnham Town Council’s Neighbourhood Plan mean that now is the time to instigate a healthy and proactive discussion on how we as a community can organically grow Farnham, while sympathetically enhancing the town and maintaining its intrinsic character.

“We’re keen to look at how housing targets can be successfully integrated into a historic town. All of the issues that affect Farnham – housing, roads, schools, hospitals, public spaces and historic settings - are highly applicable elsewhere.

“As architects, we are trained to listen to what people want; and to interpret that in relation to the whole picture.

“We’re skilled in urban design: in making the most of the smallest projects, and in making the vital connections between them.

“Recrafting Farnham will be a catalyst for creative thinking – leading to discussion about how we really want the town to develop over the years ahead.”

Mr Anayi added the genesis of Recrafting Farnham came from discussions with Waverley Borough Council, Farnham Town Council and various amenity groups including the Farnham Society and the University for the Creative Arts.

He continued: “We need to stop one of the most important discourse of our generation - how do you want our communities to evolve into over the next 30 years?

“These polar opposite views are allowing this discourse to stagnate and it is far too important for it to be left to others, who’s agenda may not include design at all.

“We need to fully engage with our future built environment to envisage what is possible and to ensure that they are culturally rich and wonderful spaces for our children to grow up in.

“We need to design schemes that are fit for purpose in 130 years’ time not just for the next 30 years.”

Recrafting Farnham is funded by RIBA Surrey Branch, which represents 550 local architects, and by the RIBA’s Local Initiative Fund.