NEW owners of the Woolmead shopping precinct, The Berkeley Group, have outlined fresh plans to demolish the much-maligned concrete building and replace it with a modern mixed-use development.

There were fears when the London-based property investors acquired the Woolmead in the new year that previous owners Friends Life Ltd’s widely-backed plans to replace the existing building with a new mix of shops, restaurants and up to 96 flats, granted outline planning consent in July last year following extensive public consultation, may go unfulfilled.

However, speaking to The Herald, managing director of Berkeley Homes Southern, Chris Gilbert, has given his reassurance that Berke’’s scheme will be “substantially along the lines of what is already proposed”.

“I don’t think there will be anything that will be dramatically different from  Friends Life’s scheme,” he said. “We’re not looking to put a 15-storey block or anything like that on there. I don’t think what we come forward with will be a great surprise to everybody.”

However, he added the City firm is yet to meet with Waverley Borough Council planning officers, and also intends to canvass potential tenants for the new development’s ground-floor commercial units before committing to a detailed planning application.

Mr Gilbert said Berkeley is also mindful that Waverley and Crest Nicholson’s Brightwells scheme proposes a number of new retail units on the opposite side of East Street, adding “we want to make sure we don’t build something that is not wanted”.

“The residential side is easy because we know there is a demand for housing,” he said. “But the commercial element is the hardest bit to judge and we have to make sure we get it right, because what you don’t want is some empty street frontage.”

Mr Gilbert also noted that Friends Life’s scheme only received public backing after revisions were made to the design and appearance of the new building to match Farnham’s Georgian character, and vowed to consult the public in the event of any significant changes.

He did, however, comment that Berkeley has to make sure the scheme is “buildable” - pointing to the fact Friends Life’s outline application only secured permission for the ‘principle’ of the development.

The developer expects to submit a new detailed planning application by the end of 2017.

Responding to Berkeley’s announcement, ward councillor and former town mayor, Stephen Hill, said: “I have been quite concerned about the lack of activity surrounding the proposed Woolmead development.

“It is encouraging that the new owners are indicating their wish to continue broadly with the Friends Provident approved scheme.

“I do have considerable concerns about the extra traffic the proposed development will generate and look forward to seeing how it will fit with the forthcoming traffic management plans for the town centre.”

Andy MacLeod, fellow ward councillor, added: “I believe that the great majority of Farnham residents will be pleased that The Berkeley Group South, who have acquired of the Woolmead, intend to proceed with the redevelopment of the site.

“If they intend to vary the development from Friends Life’s outline consent I would very much hope that they would consult the local community on how the consented scheme could be improved.

“It is good that as a first step they are setting up a meeting with the Waverley planning department and as a ward councillor for Moor Park I will request to attend the meeting to ensure that local people are consulted on any proposed variations to the scheme.”