Yes to East Street; No to Redgrave
The downsized scheme negotiated since Conservatives regained control
of Waverley Council – involving 9,814 square metres of
retail, restaurant and café bar accommodation, 239 residential
units, a 900-seater multi-screen cinema, car parks and a replacement Gostrey Centre – has received the blessing of Waverley’s joint
planning committee.
The listed building consent application for demolition of the
Redgrave Theatre - a cause of so many of the objections - and the
conversion of Brightwell House to two restaurants have likewise been approved.
Anne Cooper, Farnham Theatre Association Chairman says:
"This is an act of cultural vandalism which unfortunately places
Waverley in the D stream of boroughs which do not have theatres and
can only offer second-best. A very fine purpose-built theatre would
give an important focus to draw people to the town, its shops and
other attractions - and so, it is not the end of the campaign. We
will continue to raise aspirations for a theatre and aim to put
Waverley back on the map for cultural excellence."
There is ongoing correspondence with Jeremy Hunt and the
Theatres Trust. The FTA is considering the best way forward in the light of the
East Street decision.
WE FIGHT ON!
The loss of the Redgrave looms nearer but there is still a long way
to go…..
Waverley would need to acquire by compulsory purchase the
old cinema site land, currently owned by F & C and the subject of
their own provisional development plans.
CNS need to show that the development, involving retail
units and housing will be viable - and that, given the current gloom
and retail malaise is very unlikely to be achieved.
So there are a number of distinct and major hurdles that have to be
overcome before demolition and new building can begin.
In the meantime the Redgrave remains unloved by the Council - who
were entrusted with its upkeep and have specific funds earmarked for
that purpose but have left it bereft of any maintenance whatsoever.
We fight on!!!
An Alternative East Street Scheme
This side of East Street is staying
A
new East Street scheme was proposed last year by Lyons + Sleeman + Hoare who developed the popular Lion and Lamb
Yard in Farnham proposes a far smaller development based around the
former cinema site and retaining much of the existing Farnham
architecture. Comprising fewer shops with flats above and bringing
back a cinema with theatre, it appears to be more in accord with the
demands of campaigners against the Crest Nicholson Sainsbury (CNS)
proposals. But until WBC pronounce further on the CNS scheme it
remains to be seen how they will view this late arrival.
The scheme is focussed on and around the former cinema site in East
Street. While the site owners steadfastly refuse to sell it to CNS,
it could be the subject of a compulsory purchase order by the
Council as it is integral to the existing CNS scheme.
Your FTA continues urgently to seek more information, however early
indications show that the proposed theatre is small with few
facilities and space so cannot be considered in any way as an
adequate replacement for The Redgrave.
A newly revised East Street scheme from Lyons Sleeman and Hoare is now awaited
and FTA continues to seek further information.
Crest Nicholson Sainsbury plans for East Street in limbo
Waverley Borough Council approved the CNS main application for
a mixed us development in East Street on 1st. October 2008 and also voted to
grant Listed Building Consent for the demolition of the Redgrave.
Full planning permission was granted to the developers this autumn now that
specific legal requirements have been met. This will initially mean demolition
of the old Health Centre and two small adjacent dwellings but NOT the Redgrave
Theatre or Brightwell House.
Waverley
allowed a further 2 years for the financial markets to settle before expecting
any new building work to proceed on the site. Waverley have already decided to purchase the
CNS plans to be able to offer them to another developer if their contract with
CNS should fail. However, with so many obstacles to progress this unpopular
scheme, it is questionable whether any other developer would wish to take it on.
