A BOOKLET detailing proposals to scale down the East Street redevelopment scheme was dropping on every doormat in Farnham this week, as Waverley Council asked the public if it is at last on the right track to a more acceptable scheme. Residents have until September 28 to return a comments form, which the council hopes will give it a mandate to proceed. Council leader Richard Gates explained: "We want to maintain the momentum we have built up, which is why the time given to respond is fairly tight. "I want to take this opportunity to stress that the outcome of the proposal is not a foregone conclusion so it is very important that as wide a cross section of people respond as possible; everybody's views count." In the meantime an invited audience, representing a wide range of interests in Farnham - many of them seasoned campaigners against the much-disliked original Crest Nicholson scheme - attended a presentation last Friday of the changes being proposed. Mr Gates opened the proceedings, suggesting that since the Conservative administration was elected in May, its negotiations with the developers had aimed to address perceived issues including overdevelopment, tall buildings, designs seen to be out of character with Farnham and the unwelcome underground car park and large cinema. "A change of administration is often a catalyst for change," he observed. He described Crest Nicholson as "a responsible, award-winning and reputable developer" and added: "We have built on our relationship. It hasn't been our intention to confront it." In what was taken as a message for theatre campaigners, he warned that it would not be possible to meet everyone's aspirations for the development as the council must operate within real financial constraints. "The whole issue of financial viability is one that I cannot lay aside," he said. Those assembled were shown a scheme with fewer four-storey buildings; residential units reduced from 294 to around 230; a cinema with fewer screens and 28 per cent less floorspace, and no huge controversial underground car park, and multi-storey parking off Dogflud for 235 vehicles on six levels, where previously a massive car park had run under virtually the whole site. With the exception of two large stores, the retail units will generally be smaller and affordable to local traders, it was claimed. And a new approach to architecture which would complement the rest of the town was in evidence, and it was promised that landscaping will be softer and more existing trees will be kept. Greg Vincent, representing Crest Nicholson, said the company had a mission to build "stunning" developments that were community driven, "something which we can step away from and be proud". The general response from the audience was one of congratulating the negotiators on what they had achieved, but with an indication that elements of the scheme need further attention. "You are on the right track, but keep going," said Mike Murphy, stressing "the devilment is in the detail". Independent Farnham town and borough councillor Victor Duckett declared himself "very impressed". "If the revised scheme is as presented to us, my only words to you are 'get on with it'," was his comment. But architect Max Lyons, chairman of the Farnham Society, while referring to "a lot of constructive movement in the scheme" was very concerned about the large rectangular block comprising the cinema and multi-storey car park. Brian Davey, representing the Farnham Building Preservation Trust, offered congratulations on speedy progress which had met a lot of the objections. His worries were that the Grade II listed Brightwell House and its curtilege should receive the respect they deserve and that the housing density should reflect the neighbouring conservation area. "We don't look favourably on rabbit hutches," Mr Davey advised. Jeremy Hyman termed the changes "very encouraging", adding: "It does bring home that the people of Farnham have been right all along and five years of lobbying have been worthwhile." In a reply to a question from Mr Hyman, it was made clear that there was no intention of the Brightwell bowling green being reconstructed. The campaigner went on to point out that a number of important trees still stand to be axed and further suggested that Farnham people should be asked if they would prefer a theatre to a town square. This issue was taken up by Anne Cooper of Farnham Theatre Association, who said there was nothing in the scheme that provided for any sort of sporting or cultural participation. "I would like to see something better offered to the thousands of people who objected. Half the objections came from people on the streets who want to see theatre." The United Voice of Farnham, a pressure group representing many Farnham interests, has this week warned residents to consider carefully before saying "yes" to Waverley's consultation, especially with only sketchy detail on design available. Chairman David Graham and vice-chairman Stephen Cochrane said the United Voice committee and members remain gravely concerned about housing density, the six-deck multi-storey parking and the loss of leisure facilities including the bowling green and theatre. Mr Graham said they had heard Waverley's argument about how the scheme must be viable. "We are concerned that the fact that so much money has already been spent on an inappropriate development should not be influencing the future of the site," he commented. "Farnham should not be penalised to make up for past mistakes." Mr Cochrane suggested that in responding "yes" to the scheme, the public will be providing ammunition against any future objections. "It is a nice brochure, but it might be considered as a Trojan horse, designed to manipulate public opinion. "Common sense is finally dawning on Waverley Borough Council and CNS over the East Street development, thanks to our wider community standing up for Farnham. "There are many unsung ordinary people within the town that have made an extraordinary effort on behalf of us all, something we should all appreciate. "We should not desert them as the council and the developer effectively concede that their proposals for Farnham were indeed inappropriate. "While the council, under its new administration, and CNS, have made a step in the right direction over the elevation principles, the questions of scale, amenities, traffic, parking, pollution and infrastructure need to be challenged further." The United Voice plans to hold a public meeting in November, when the plans have been developed further. Details of the new scheme are available to view at the Farnham Locality Office and on Waverley's website at http://www.waverley.gov.uk">www.waverley.gov.uk
