A public forum on the future of The Woolmead was held in Farnham at the Farnham Museum Garden Gallery on Saturday, September 19, following SCC deciding to pull the plug on the event at Brightwells.

The two-hour event, organised by the Farnham Theatre Association (FTA), was supposed to be held The Brightwells & Co Creative Space and attracted members of the public to discuss what could happen to the long-awaited development.

However, the landlord SCC decided to pull the plug on the event with less than 48 hours’ notice. Organisers scrambled to get a new venue and luckily they managed to host it in the Museum Garden Gallery

The forum followed a petition launched by Chapter One Developments and its co-founder Ashley Burton, calling on Homes England to reopen the bidding process. The petition gained more than 1,455 signatures. The campaign followed changes to the Community Infrastructure Levy Exceptional Circumstances Relief.

Farnham Estates, which was the successful bidder for the site, said it intends to bring forward its design in the future, but that there were technical matters to resolve before proposals could be presented publicly.

The public from Yolande Hesse, Michael Holburn, John Neale and Richard Hunt before the floor was opened to questions and ideas from residents.

Ms Hesse presented a concept for East Street and The Woolmead, while also raising concerns over vacant units at Brightwells.

She suggested empty spaces could temporarily be offered to local makers and craftspeople while permanent tenants are sought.

“This town is full of lovely, talented craftspeople who would love to have a workshop,” she said.

Mr Holburn, a theatre consultant, displayed plans for a multi-use theatre with flexible seating ranging from 300-600+ capacity. Holburn also suggested establishing a community company to lease parts of Brightwells for community use.

Other ideas raised included a youth centre, theatre, student accommodation, affordable housing and an outdoor theatre.

Richard Hunt said the Woolmead was a major opportunity for the town.

“This is the last major site to be developed in Farnham and is an opportunity,” he said.

The discussion ended without a single agreed proposal for the site, but speakers stressed the importance of developing a clear vision for the community benefits Farnham wants to see from The Woolmead.