BRIGHTWELLS developer Crest Nicholson has pushed back its controversial lane closure on the A31 Farnham bypass to the New Year amid concerns that it could wreak havoc on the busy Christmas shopping period.

Waverley Borough Council’s joint planning committee met to discuss Crest’s revised application for a 24/7 lane closure on the eastbound carriageway of the A31 between Red Lion Lane and the Shepherd and Flock roundabout on Wednesday last week.

Three hours and 20 minutes later, during which planning permission was also refused for 130 new homes in Cranleigh, councillors voted narrowly in favour of approving the developer’s request - but added a condition stipulating that it can only implement the lane closure 24 hours a day after January 7, 2019, so as to avoid the busy Christmas period.

Crest has since agreed not to implement any lane closures on the A31 until the New Year - barring a one day “off peak” closure next Tuesday (November 27) for preparatory works.

The lane closure is required to construct a temporary construction access bridge, connecting the Brightwells development site to the A31 over the River Wey - as demanded by councillors when extending Crest’s consent for the Brightwells scheme in 2012.

The latest delays to the regeneration of East Street come after Farnham Residents councillors Andy MacLeod and Jerry Hyman pointed out discrepancies between Crest’s leaflet advertising the 24 hour lane closure, and its consent for the bridge works which outline a closure between 9am and 5pm daily.

Speaking to the Herald after last week’s meeting, a Crest spokesman said: “In agreement with Waverley Borough Council, the A31 lane closure will now take place from January 7, 2019. From January 7 until February 15, the A31 east bound will be reduced to one lane from Red Lion Lane and Shepherd and Flock roundabout, the lane closure will be in place for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This will allow the work to be carried out as quickly as possible, with minimal impact to residents.

“There will be an off peak lane closure for one day on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, to allow necessary preparatory works to be carried out.

“The lane closure is in order to build access for construction traffic allowing vehicles to enter the new Brightwells development, which means that all construction traffic will avoid the town centre for the duration of the works.

“We apologise for the disruption caused by these works.”