CONSTRUCTION of Farnham’s long-delayed Brightwells Regeneration Scheme looks set to begin this week after the completion of an unconditional agreement between Waverley Borough Council and Crest Nicholson.

The signing of the agreement is a vital step in delivering the Brightwells regeneration, a multi-million pound retail and leisure hub anchored by Marks and Spencer Simply Food and REEL Cinemas on land south of East Street, which Waverley says will "transform and revitalise an underutilised part of the town".

Crest Nicholson Sainsbury’s won a tender from Waverley to construct the development in 2003 and was awarded full planning permission for the scheme, including the demolition of the Redgrave Theatre, in 2008.

A catalogue of delays followed, amid uncertainty over the financial viability of the redevelopment. However, Waverley has apparently put this speculation to bed on Monday after announcing it has ’gone unconditional’ with Crest - with Surrey County Council also confirming its ongoing investment in the scheme.

The shopping hub, which Waverley now hopes will be completed by spring 2021, will boast a six-screen cinema, eight restaurants and 24 retail units, providing more than 800 new jobs.

The development will also include 239 new apartments, of which 72 will be affordable, surrounding a new town square, "improved parking facilities" and, adds Waverley, "measures to improve traffic flow in the town centre".

Julia Potts, leader of the council, said: “I am delighted that we now have an unconditional contract. The agreement means that our vision to deliver a scheme that will reinvigorate Farnham for residents, shoppers and visitors can now finally get underway.

“Although some pre-commencement works have already taken place, the next major step will be to begin work on the access bridge, which will minimise traffic disruption during the works. It is expected that work will start straight away."

“This agreement also means the council will receive a significant up front payment for the land and once completed an ongoing income stream which will support the ongoing delivery of council services.”

Chris Tinker, Crest Nicholson’s group board director responsible for major projects and strategic partnerships, said: “We are delighted that the partnership arrangements with Waverley Borough Council and Surrey County Council are in place and we can now turn our attention to delivering this much needed addition to the heart of Farnham."

Surrey County Council cabinet member for property and business services Tim Oliver said: “This is a really significant step towards transforming Farnham. Our investment in this regeneration project will help to drive forward economic growth for the town and we are pleased to be supporting it alongside Waverley Borough Council.”

Construction work on the main part of the scheme will commence this Wednesday, Waverley has confirmed, with the closure of a lane of the A31 Farnham Bypass for tree cutting ahead of the building of a temporary construction access bridge over the River Wey.

Read more in this week’s Herald, on sale Thursday...