REDGRAVE ACTION GROUP
the campaigning arm of the New Farnham Repertory Company
|
|
|
Friends of Brightwells |
|
Who? The Friends of Brightwells exists to persuade Waverley Borough Council not to give away the town's cultural heritage.
Why? The Council's master plan for the redevelopment of East Street has grave implications for:
What? BRIGHTWELLS BOWLING CLUB Even though Waverley Borough Council’s brief to the developers said that the Bowling Club and its Green should stay, the Green will, in fact, be damaged by the proposed master plan’s surrounding tall blocks of flats.
The Club will be forced to move. The Sports Turf Research Institute’s Report, which indicated the damage that the development would cause to the Green, was received by WBC in November 2003. This information was withheld from Councillors and the general public at the time of the NOP questionnaire and the launch of the latest master plan in July 2004. (There is, however, a clue in the developer's own illustration - below - of how the scheme might look: there is a large shadow across the grass which will also fall across the bowling green. Shade, any bowls player will tell you, is a recipe for unplayable turf.)
No alternative site has yet been allocated for the Bowling Club and members are worried about its future. This Club and Green should stay!
BRIGHTWELLS TENNIS CLUB. The Tennis Club and Courts are scheduled to be moved and replaced by commercial development. The Farnham Riverside site was identified for its relocation.
However, its polluted ground (it was once the site of the old Gas Works land) and tendency to flood (see Environment Agency new Flood Risk maps), make this site now questionable. The cost of dealing with these problems could be prohibitive. As yet, no alternative sites have been found. These sports facilities are part of our heritage and should remain inside the Town.
THE REDGRAVE THEATRE This cultural asset is intended to be demolished to make way for a Town Square, in spite of great public support for its retention.
Artist Dennis Chinnery's vision for the Redgrave
Although the Theatre is already covered by the Grade II Listing of Brightwell House, to which it is attached, a request has been made, supported by The Theatres Trust and The Farnham Society, for a strengthened Listing status for the Theatre itself. The demolition of the Theatre would fly in the face of Waverley’s own Local Plan which endorses “...a vision of East Street as the cultural/entertainment quarter of Farnham” -with leisure uses such as a theatre, cinema, night club or arts complex as the main focus.
BRIGHTWELL HOUSE In spite of its Grade II Listing, Waverley Borough Council has allowed this house to deteriorate.
Brightwell House as it once was
Recently, the Farnham Trust was allowed inside and have issued a report on the condition of the building and say that it is “at risk”. An additional concern is that the foundations could be de-stabilised by construction work for the proposed underground car park. Even though suggestions have been made by an external Design Panel that the House could also go, Waverley has stated that it should be kept. The Council should keep its word!
THE FRIENDS OF BRIGHTWELLS The Friends are a group of concerned residents of Farnham and the surrounding area. We treasure the history of Brightwells, with its dedicated public recreational space, and are convinced that its future lies in developing its existing strengths, as a natural open space and as a cultural quarter in the centre of town. We approve of appropriate development of vacant sites in the East Street area, but are opposed to the destruction of this part of Farnham’s heritage for pure commercial gain. The Friends are individuals from various interest groups in the area and, so far, have no formal constitution.
The Friends of Brightwells' message to SAINSBURY & CREST NICHOLSON -
SAVEOURBRIGHTWELLS'HERITAGE!
Contact Friends of Brightwells: David Wylde, 01252 722193
or Email: cooperstudio@mac.corn
|
.jpg)
.JPG)
 |