A CAMPAIGN group concerned about the redevelopment of East Street is hoping to drum up support for a referendum to delay its progress at the mayor's public meeting on East Street next Tuesday.

East Street Action, spearheaded by former Mayor of Farnham Bryan Sell and ex-town councillor Sue Farrow, have notified town mayor Dr Penny Marriott that they will present their petition for a referendum at the meeting at Church House, which starts at 7-30 pm.

The petition states that the current proposals by development partners Crest Nicholson and the Sainsbury's Property Company "represent gross overdevelopment which will swamp the town and its already congested roads".

Because of the "undue haste" in progressing the proposals, the group is asking that the signing of a conditional contract, which could take place following the next full meeting of Waverley Council on March 17, be deferred and the timetable extended so the Farnham public have can have more say.

The petition needs the support of just 10 people, or one third of the electorate present at the meeting, whichever is less.

The so-called parish poll would be organised by Waverley Council, which would charge Farnham Town Council for it.

A Waverley spokesman said: "Once it has gone through the town meeting and there are 10 people who have agreed to the poll, then we are required to organise it, but only as a contractor.

"We would then charge the town council. The last time this was a possibility in 1997 we estimated it would have cost £20,000."

Mayor of Farnham Dr Penny Marriott is inviting people wanting to speak at next Tuesday's meeting to write to her and assuring people their views will be collated.

She is particularly keen to hear from people who have attended the public exhibition of the proposals.

"I have called the meeting because I am concerned that your views, as the people of Farnham, should be adequately represented to both the developers and Waverley Borough Council," said Dr Marriott in a statement.

In a statement about the call for a parish poll, Bryan Sell has drawn attention to a report issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister which he claims, gives further reason to delay the redevelopment.

Entitled Urban Renaissance in the South East - Case Study 14: Farnham, the report concludes Farnham has a century-old renaissance strategy which has protected its pleasant buildings and charm, in contrast to other towns.