THE Farnham Maltings has drawn up plans for a £2 million re-development which will see the arts and community centre ask for £1 million from Waverley council.

The make-or-break plan, which will see the Maltings take on fundraising consultants to find ways to fund the project, is the first phase of a desperately needed refurbishment, revealed the organisation's chief executive Joanna Ridout this week.

"We've been working hard with Waverley and found out the best way to refurbish the building is to do it in phases.

"This is just the first phase of the programme and will focus on the parts of the building most used by the public: the main entrance, foyer and Great Hall.

"It will cost about £2 million and include making the building more accessible, sound proofing and more signage."

On the fundraising consultants she said: "The consultants will help us research potential sources of funding. They would then help us build a strategy."

Ms Ridout declined to say how much the Maltings is asking Waverley for in matched funding, but The Herald understands it will be at least £1 million - indeed, the very definition "matched-funding" hints that Waverley will match whatever the Maltings raises and the total cost of £2 million would suggest a 50-50 split.

"We're hoping they will give us as much as they feel able to," said Ms Ridout.

The Maltings, in partnership with Waverley, has been forced into making new refurbishment plans after its bid for £2 million in National Lottery money was turned down in May.

Waverley had agreed to fund the previously planned £4-5 million refurbishment to the tune of £1 million - providing the Maltings lottery bid was successful.

Ms Ridout said the Maltings has submitted its plan and bid for money to Waverley and said she expected it to come before councillors "in the next couple of months".

A Waverley spokesman also declined to confirm the level of grant the Maltings seeks and could not say when the plans would be considered.

"An application for capital funding has been presented to Waverley Borough Council.

"Discussions are taking place but there is no date set yet to formally discuss it."