The Stage

Farnham residents show ‘overwhelming’ support for former Redgrave Theatre

Published Tuesday 14 November 2006 at 14:45 by Nuala Calvi

Pressure is mounting on Waverley Borough Council to reject plans to demolish the former Redgrave Theatre as part of a major new commercial development in Farnham.

A campaign by the Farnham Theatre Association has resulted in more than 1,000 people signing letters of objection to an application to scrap the venue. Actresses Kika Mirylees, Susan Jameson and Abigail McKern are among those who have taken part in protests in recent weeks outside council offices.

Developers Scott Brownrigg have applied for permission to demolish the 1970’s Redgrave Theatre, which was boarded up by the council in 1999 and convert the adjacent 18th century Brightwell House - formerly the theatre’s restaurant, offices and dressing rooms - into a cafe-bar and restaurant.

The application forms part of a proposed major development around the East Street area that includes shops, restaurants, bars, flats and an eight screen cinema, which opponents say will spoil the character of the Georgian market town.

Anne Cooper, chair of the FTA, said: “The people of Farnham are absolutely fed up with these plans. They’re outraged by the size and scale of the buildings that will be there.

“I have been absolutely inundated with people queuing up to sign our letters of objection to the planning applications. I always knew there was support for the theatre but it has been overwhelming. We will be taking well over 1,000 to the council next week.”

A public consultation is now being held over the outline plans, which will run until November 24.

Council spokesman Chris Mansell said the authority could not support a stand-alone theatre building in Farnham without investment from a private sector organisation.

“Waverley’s cultural strategy for drama is focused on The Maltings, which is developing its capacity for a range of live performance,” he added. “The Maltings has been a great success and Waverley’s very considerable investment is bearing fruit. Furthermore there will be a multi-screen cinema in the new development for which there has been extremely well-evidenced demand.”