THE people of Farnham are to be asked to cast a vote on the subject of Crest Nicholson's planning application to redevelop East Street, in a poll being conducted by the Farnham Society. A vociferous and well-organised campaign of opposition to the plans has led to claims by the developers that just a few objectors are holding centre stage while a silent majority wants the scheme to proceed. In a bid to determine the feelings of as wide a section of the public as possible on the issue, The Farnham Herald will next week print a form that can be filled in with a simple yes or no answer and name and address. The chairman of the Farnham Society, Max Lyons, explained: "Bearing in mind the interest shown in this planning application by the people of Farnham, I believe it would be appropriate if the people of Farnham had their own opportunity to vote on this application." He outlined the Farnham Society position: 1. We believe most people in Farnham want to see some change in the East Street area and they want a cinema and theatre. 2. We believe the current application is unacceptable to Farnham for the following reasons: • The Woolmead will be left standing with no alteration to its present appearance. • Approximately 300 flats will be built on the areas of land around the bowling club and tennis courts and we think it should be about 50/100 flats or houses. • An underground car park will be constructed for approximately 700 cars and only 400 of the car-parking spaces are for public use, which is less than on site at the present. • The Redgrave Theatre will be demolished and not replaced. • There would be a 1,200 seat cinema and we think it should be 300/400 seats • The design incorporates many four-storey, flat-roofed blocks 3. It is important that we concentrate on this particular planning application as it is likely there will be other planning applications or altered designs in the future. Confusion reigned this week over the possibility that Ruth Kelly, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, could call the application in for her own determination. Anne Cooper, chairman of the Farnham Theatre Association which has submitted 2,370 letters of objection to the plans, had written requesting Ms Kelly to call the plans in. The reply she received from the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) said that Waverley Council would be referring the application to GOSE if it was minded to grant permission. This would allow the Secretary of State to decide whether the application should be called in. Waverley Council will be referring the application to the Government Office for the South East. The council, however, expressed surprise at the comment, declaring in a statement: "There is currently no requirement on Waverley Borough Council to refer the current online planning application to the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) for the Secretary of State to decide whether the application should be called in for determination." The spokesman added: "Irrespective of the council's position, GOSE has reserve powers, on behalf of the Secretary of State, to call the application in. Their policy on these matters is outlined on their website."
