Two of Farnham’s most popular events could become “unviable” if plans to spruce up Castle Street are pursued in their current form.

That’s the claim of a town councillor who fears the introduction of rain-gardens near The Tellers Arms could limit the amount of gazebo space at festival time.

And that could mean the difference between event profit and loss for Farnham Town Council, with town clerk Iain Lynch also admitting it will be “difficult” for such events to continue if the spaces are lost.

There was much talk about the success of the rain-gardens – the unpaved areas with shrubs and plants which have appeared on Downing Street and Union Road as part of the town centre improvement works – during the recent Farnham Board meeting.

Questions were asked whether they would be suited to The Borough given the soil levels are shallower than expected, with Mr Lynch saying there’s limitations over what can be put in.

Cllr Catherine Powell said: “I really would like us to look again as ten centimetres isn’t deep enough for planting.”

The ones earmarked for The Tellers Arms area of Castle Street are a “really big issue” for Cllr George Hesse as he believes the gardens will “destroy the ability for Farnham to put on a food festival or Christmas fair”.

He said: “Putting in rain-gardens will completely alter the ability and dynamic of Castle Street to hold these functions.

“We were hoping for high quality planters that can be shuttled out of the way so we can hold events.

“If the number of sites for gazebos does reduce it will be unviable.”

John McLauchlan, director of Major Infrastructure Delivery at Surrey County Council, told members the short-term need for rain-gardens “is still there” but hinted there could be changes because of the “unknowns that are now known”.