THE Farnham Theatre Association (FTA) has reacted with concern that negotiations over the East Street scheme give no sign that a theatre will be included. The association, which is now in a position to fundraise for the restoration of the Redgrave Theatre, this week issued a statement claiming that the facts relating to their proposal are being ignored. "FTA would point out that almost half of the thousands of legitimate objectors to the outline plans are the theatre-going public, who would prefer a smaller scheme with a theatre, and their opinions should also count in these negotiations. "The benefits of a theatre are still being ignored by those in positions of power, as the facts do not suit the council's current decisions." The FTA statement stressed that the council must not "pre-determine" the outcome of a planning application. "Permission to demolish a leisure facility, which is also part of a listed building, should not be granted unless it can be established that there is no longer a viable use for it, or it cannot be replaced nearby. "The Farnham Theatre Association Ltd has shown that a theatre will be viable in Farnham, by producing a theatre study and business plan commissioned from leading theatre consultants." This document, they stress, shows the viability of a theatre in the town which is self-financing, free of local authority funding and which could run alongside the Maltings creative arts centre. "The town is in a wealthy, well-educated area with a tradition of theatre and whose residents already support a local professional company desperate for somewhere to perform. There is also interest in a restored professional theatre from the wider regional professional network. "The FTA Theatre Study already has been accepted by Waverley to support its present cultural strategy. This has given rise to the council's consultation exercise, What Theatre Makers Really, Really Want. "FTA, representing audiences, the New Farnham Repertory Actors Company, amateur theatre groups, students from the University of the Creative Arts drama group and the Farnham Operatic Society have produced a joint response saying that as the Maltings buildings are so restrictive for productions. What is needed is a fully functional theatre. "This, undoubtedly, is not the news that Waverley 'really, really wants'. "Waverley now has an external consultancy report including these public views, which has been prepared for the council. However, this will not be released apparently until later in the year. "FTA fears that this document may be withheld from councillors until the planning decisions to demolish the theatre have been taken. "CNS and Waverley have both said that if the money was there, a theatre would be seriously considered. FTA has recently become a company limited by guarantee and are now in a position to raise funds for the refurbishment of the theatre facilities. "As Brightwell House is to be restored in the CNS scheme and Waverley are responsible for the upkeep of their listed buildings, why should anyone pay them vast sums for what already belongs to the people of Farnham?"
