THE proposed "eradication of part of the town's cultural heritage" through demolition of the Redgrave Theatre attracted the most spirited audience yet to the East Street compulsory purchase inquiry on Wednesday last week.

The inspector, Colin Ball, said that he had never received applause at a hearing before, as his comment that he was "getting a very full picture" about East Street led to an ovation.

Constructed in 1974 with £250,000 mostly donated by the public and businesses and closed in 1998, the Redgrave would cost £5m to replace today, the inquiry heard.

The theatre supporters' argument is that Waverley should bear a responsibility for that capital cost, either allowing reopening of the Redgrave and its use rent-free or by helping pay for a replacement facility to be established elsewhere.

For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.