A BITTER political divide emerged within Waverley Borough Council over the future of Brightwell House, with the Conservative majority forging ahead with plans to seek its de-listing.

This came despite strong opposition from the Liberal Democrats, who tabled a motion to block the move, only to see it defeated at Tuesday night's meeting.

Controversy had been sparked by widespread fears that de-lisitng the building would pave the way for its demolition, if developers weregiven a free-reign on the site.

Lib-Dem Mrs King-Hele led the motion against de-listing, which was made on the grounds this action went against council planning regulations, and significantly, that no attempt had been made to consult the public on the issue.

It was defeated in close-run vote which went along party lines, 28 to 22. Labour's two votes were for the motion. There were two Tory abstentions.

This was not before a fiery hour-long debate on the issue took place, in which frank exchanges were traded on both sides.

In her address, Mrs King-Hele said: "I feel very strongly on this, and am considerably concerned about what has gone on about this issue.

"I see it as a very serious breach of our own policy," she said.

She added: "How can the council maintain its reputation when it seeks to de-list a building it owns on the grounds that it has deteriorated."

Mrs King-Hele felt it was the duty of the council to prosecute anyone who attempted to put the building at risk, and was dismayed it had been allowed to fall into disrepair.

Responding to Mrs King-Hele, Captain Peter Burden, who has been at the centre of the plans for re-developing East Street, believed the Conservative majority had Farnham's best interests at heart.

He claimed the council was simply separating its property and planning duties in this issue, and the object of its de-listing exercise was to simply "get the best value from our property".

He expressed the development brief for potential investors, was that they "take note of Brightwell House" in any development plans.

Both Conservative members and Liberals acknowledged that East Street was in an "appalling state" but the means of its redevelopment in relation to Bright well House could not be agreed.

Liberal member, Mrs Joan Harris cited the example of the Lion and Lamb Yard as a success story for integrating existing buildings into new developments.

She felt the council were "driving a coach and horses" through listed building policy, and felt plans which were sympathetic to the existing building could be produced.

Richard Gates accused the Liberal members of producing a "a great deal of sound and fury" , and "was not clear what the concern was."

He believed from the expert advice received, the building was no longer worthy of being listed.

This was swiftly rebutted by Michael Blower, who claimed the building still warranted its status. It had been given it in the first place after scrutiny from renowned artists, poets and architects.

He said: "There is so much feeling about this special building, we have inherited a marvellous town (Farnham) famous for its houses, and should not take them away."

An architect himself, he had produced a plan for development of the site which recently appeared in The Herald. This was rubbished by Conservative member David Munro as "looking like a football stadium".

The clearest indication that de-listing would mean result in demolishing the building came from Mrs J Mansley, who, during her appraisal of the situation, said "sometimes a town has to make a sacrifice to get the best for it."

This was not met lightly by Liberal members, who continued to challenge the validity of the application.

The outcome of the de-listing is expected to be known within the next few months.