THE Farnham Interest Group has been granted permission to proceed with its judicial review claim against the Brightwells regeneration scheme, in a significant blow to Waverley Borough Council’s long-delayed redevelopment of land south of East Street.

A High Court judge this week granted a long-awaited order for the interest group - led by The Farnham Society, Farnham Building Preservation Trust and East Street Action - to proceed with its legal challenge, with the full hearing expected to follow in October.

Fundamental to the interest group’s argument is that, by allowing a raft of amendments and variations to the Brightwells scheme, Waverley has granted its development partner Crest Nicholson advantages not available to other bidders for the initial contract in 2002.

The interest group has again stressed it is not opposed to redevelopment of the area, but believes the proposed scheme is flawed and favours a “lower impact” development more aligned to Waverley’s original brief for the area.

However, the legal challenge has split the town, and a rival petition was also launched in July seeking support for Waverley’s current plans to build 239 new flats, high street shops, restaurants and a six-screen cinema on land south of East Street.

The petition, which accuses the Farnham Interest Group of “trying to ruin” the regeneration of the run down East Street area, has to-date mustered 775 signatures while the interest group has also mustered significant support in the form of thousands of pounds of donations to aid its legal challenge.

More information on the interest group’s challenge and how to donate can be found at www.farnhamsociety.org.uk while the petition can be signed online at www.ipetitions.com/petition/support-farnhams-brightwell-scheme .

More to follow in this week’s Herald, on sale Thursday…