FARNHAM'S official Conservation Area should be extended to ensure more of its historic buildings are protected from development, according to local councils and interest groups.

The Farnham Conservation Area Partnership, comprising councillors, council officers from Farnham, Waverley and Surrey councils, together with members of groups such as the Farnham Society, Farnham (Building Preservation) Trust and Surrey Archaeological Society, proposes the Conservation Area be extended to include buildings in South Street and East Street not presently covered by the ruling.

The group also hopes to identify ways of enhancing the Conservation Area.

Their report proposes that South Street buildings including Bush House, a collection of shops in South Street next to The Bush Hotel; the Central Club and the Liberal Club be included in a newly extended Conservation Area. The group also wants the Victoria Garden, formerly public swimming baths, and the Falkner Arch included.

The Farnham Society has proposed additional extensions – embracing the Haren Garden, which commemorates the friendship between Haren in Holland and Farnham – and five to 13 East Street, which include historic and listed buildings.

The report states that the historic buildings in Farnham's existing Conservation Area are in good condition and that open spaces are well cared for.

Farnham has 387 listed buildings, protected by law, and 135 buildings on the so-called local list, which accords them special recognition but not protection.

Extending the Conservation Area would provide historic buildings more protection because such areas are preserved by local councils.

The council will now consult the public on the the findings of the Farnham Conservation Area Partnership, whose report Waverley plans to put on its website.

The Farnham Conservation Area Partnership's appraisal was briefly discussed during a meeting of Waverley council's executive committee on Monday night.

Victor Scrivens and Chris Mansell both highly praised the weighty report, Mr Mansell suggesting it should be a local history reference for Farnham primary schools, though he did bemoan "the eight pages of misery" from Surrey County Council about traffic.

"Surrey County Council really has to do better than that," he said.