BRIGHTWELLS developer Crest Nicholson Sainsbury’s (CNS) has submitted a fresh application for the demolition of the Redgrave Theatre and conversion of the attached Grade II-listed Brightwell House - hinting at a further delay to the regeneration of East Street.

The developer, which won a contract with Waverley Borough Council to construct the Brightwells scheme in 2003, has described its latest plans, which include a 13 per cent increase to the footprint of a proposed extension to Brightwell House, as “minor amendments…to meet occupier requirements”.

But Anne Cooper, chairman of the Farnham Theatre Association (FTA) believes the new proposal confirms the belief that the start of works on the Brightwells development is far from “imminent”, as suggested by Waverley leader Julia Potts earlier this year.

The Redgrave, which the FTA has long campaigned should be reinstated as a performing arts venue, was built in the early 1970s as an extension to the much older Brightwell House, which dates back to the 1790s.

Named after actor Sir Michael Redgrave and opened in 1974 by Princess Margaret, the theatre enjoyed several years of success but ran into financial difficulties, and was closed by the borough council in 1998 and boarded up along with Brightwell House.

CNS was granted full planning permission for its proposed regeneration of East Street in 2008 and again in 2012, including the conversion of Brightwell House to form two restaurants as well as 239 new homes, high street shops, restaurants and a six-screen cinema.

Listed building consent to demolish the Redgrave Theatre has also been granted on three previous occasions, in 2008, 2011 and 2015, but is yet to be implemented.

CNS’s latest application proposes a 106 square metre (13 per cent) increase in the ‘gross internal area’ of a proposed glass, single-storey extension to the west of Brightwell House - as well as associated natural coloured timber louvres, and further “minor changes” to the glazing on the north and east elevations of the building.

Reaffirming the case for restoring Brightwell House, CNS states in a design and access statement accompanying the application: “Since the attached Redgrave Theatre closed in 1998, the building’s condition has slowly deteriorated and it now gives the impression of being extremely dilapidated.

“Despite this, the current state of the building would not prevent a very successful restoration being carried out, with many of its historic features being reinstated and the restored building becoming a focal point for the East Street redevelopment, as well as providing an important link to the history of the area.

“However, the longer the restoration is left, the more difficult and costly this will be, due to the deterioration of the building.”

But, responding to the application, Mrs Cooper of the FTA points the finger of blame squarely at Waverley for allowing Brightwell House and the Redgrave to fall into a state of disrepair, and believes it shows the protracted saga is set to continue.

Mrs Cooper told The Herald: “The application comes as no surprise as we knew the consent needed renewing before the end of January next year. However, this confirms the belief that the start of works on the Brightwells development is certainly not ‘imminent’.

“There are still hurdles for this blighted project to overcome before anyone can attempt to demolish the listed buildings - the funding, a construction bridge over the River Wey, sewers to be laid, housing for bats provided and so on.”

Waverley has set itself a target date of Boxing Day to determine CNS’s latest application for the demolition of the Redgrave and conversion of Brightwell House, and is welcoming public comments until December 8.

To view and comment on CNS’s latest application, visit the website www.waverley.gov.uk/planning and search for application reference WA/2017/2028.