FARNHAM Town Council has agreed to seek legal advice on the Farnham Memorial Hall and Sports Ground covenants.

Responding to a question by Rowledge architect Mark Westcott at last week’s meeting of the full council, councillors agreed to take legal advice on the strength of the covenants.

The 10 councillors present also agreed to investigate the possibility of taking responsibility for managing the sports ground in accordance with the donor’s wishes, and enter discussions with Waverley Borough Council on the future of the site.

The Memorial Hall and adjacent sports ground in West Street, were gifted to Farnham Urban District Council in October, 1947, in memory of the five employees of Farnham United Breweries who lost their lives during the First World War.

It’s 1947 Deed of Gift, stipulates that the sports ground must be used for ‘orgainsed outdoor games, sports and physical training’ as well as for ‘any activity of an educational cultural social recreative or charitable nature’.

Despite this, Waverley Borough Council is currently investigating plans to relocate the Memorial Grounds current tenants Farnham Town FC to Weydon Lane and in turn develop and the Memorial Ground for housing.

However, the sports ground’s covenant remains a major sticking point and the town council has thrown its weight behind those calling for the orginal Deed of Gift to be respected.

Speaking at last week’s meeting councillor Andy Macleod said: “Waverley doesn’t seem to respect the covenants, and I think there is a need to look very, very clearly at this. The town council should really be taking a strong interest in it.”