A DEFINING week for the proposed regeneration of East Street began on Tuesday, when Waverley Borough Council confirmed Marks and Spencer had signed up for the project, just hours after announcing a special meeting to discuss the purchase and appropriation of land essential to the scheme.

Waverley's executive committee will convene in public next Tuesday when they are expected to make a recommendation to lease the East Street site to developers Crest Nicholson Sainsbury's and press on with the compulsory purchase of two land parcels - The Marlborough Head pub and the neighbouring privately-operated car park.

Fulfilling a promise by East Street portfolio holder Adam Taylor-Smith, Waverley also confirmed Marks and Spencer has signed a binding legal agreement to take a lease as part of the redevelopment.

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