WAVERLEY'S 57 councillors will be asked to choose Sainsbury's and its development partner Crest Nicholson for the multi-million-pound re-development of East Street on October 15.

The council's policy-making executive, comprising eight Tory councillors, made its recommendation on Monday night following two hours of debate, one of which was in private and concerned financial matters.

Only two of the executive's eight members - Rowledge and Wrecclesham member Dr Genny Lane and Richard Gates, who represents Bramley, publicly nailed their colours to the Sainsbury's mast.

The remaining six, including East Street regeneration portfolio holder Captain Peter Burden, did not express a preference.

One member, Graham Lambert (Farnham Waverley ward) even spoke out against Sainsbury's, which proposes the biggest scheme, during the open session but admitted changing his mind after the financial discussions, which are not allowed in public.

After the private session executive members agreed to recommend Sainsbury's to Waverley's full council for decision in 11 days' time.

Speaking to The Herald this week, Captain Burden said he voted to recommend Sainsbury's on Monday night and that his Conservative colleagues will be given a free vote on the matter on October 15.

With 31 councillors to the Liberal Democrats' 24 and Labour's two, the Conservatives would have the numbers to push through Sainsbury's if they were whipped.

But Capt. Burden insisted: "It's always a free vote. I don't doubt there will be agreement but we're not going to whip on an issue like this."

He said he is "hopefully optimistic" that the decision will go in Sainsbury's favour.

He estimated that if Sainsbury's got the go-ahead work on the redevelopment could start next autumn and be completed in four to five years.

He added that, regardless of scheme, The Woolmead shops and offices block will remain untouched until leases expire in six years.

The Liberal Democrats, who last week called for the selection of a developer to be delayed for up to six months amid concerns about overdevelopment, are yet to decide whether to take a party line on October 15.

Group leader Chris Slyfield told The Herald: "We're having a formal group meeting to talk about it but we've heard nothing from the Conservatives yet."