IT WILL come as no surprise to followers of Farnham’s Brightwells Yard saga to hear the development’s “big bang” opening has yet again been pushed back.

It had been hoped the long-awaited development, first tendered to developer Crest Nicholson in 2003, would open in ‘spring 2022’.

But now, Waverley Borough Council’s portfolio holder for Brightwells, Councillor Andy MacLeod, says it is hoped the mixed-use development – with its mix of shops, flats and a multi-screen cinema – will open this August.

Cllr MacLeod, a past critic of Brightwells who now describes himself as a “total convert” in support of the regeneration of land south of East Street, told last Tuesday’s meeting (January 18) of Waverley’s executive: “I am in total support of the success of Brightwells, and we’ll do our absolute best to make sure it’s successful.

“We have a meeting next Wednesday with Crest Nicholson and Surrey, and we’ll see how they’re getting on with their plans to find tenants for the scheme.

“That is a bit of a worry, with the scheme due to open in August. So let’s just hope that next Wednesday, we’ll get some good news about some people actually signing up.”