BRIGHTWELLS developer Crest Nicholson has warned that a delay to its proposed 11-week lane closure on the A31 Farnham Bypass could have a “knock-on impact” on its redevelopment of East Street.

An eastbound lane closure was due to come into effect on the A31 between Red Lion Lane and the Shepherd and Flock roundabout on October 1 to allow for the construction of a temporary access bridge serving the Brightwells development site.

This has been delayed, however, after councillors pointed out a potential breach of Crest’s planning consent for the works, with the developer proposing to close the lane 24 hours a day, instead of only between 9am and 5pm as agreed with the authorities.

Crest has since applied to Waverley Borough Council for a ‘non-material amendment’ to its planning consent to “regularise the situation”, with work continuing on the bridge over the River Wey from Borelli Walk south of the A31.

Responding to the Herald’s request for an update, a spokesman for the developer said its planning consultants are liaising with Waverley “to ensure a swift resolution”, adding “all previous communications [with the council] have been based around a 24/7 lane closure”.

The spokesman told the Herald: “The way in which these issues are resolved could have a knock on impact on the method of construction for the remaining elements of work on Borelli Walk.

“At this time we are still hoping to recover this situation and complete the bridge works in line with the aspirations for this element of work as quickly as possible and within the overall development timeline. We cannot yet confirm these dates but will do so as soon as the planning aspects are resolved.

"All previous communications, council presentations and planning assessments have been based around a 24/7 lane closure on the A31 - this includes all previous Transport Statements and Air Quality Reports that have been carried out.

"A 24/7 closure is essential for minimising the duration of works impacting the A31, for keeping away from Borelli Walk and is also crucial to enable our team members to safely complete the works associated with the access bridge.

"The bridge will give construction traffic access to the site directly from the A31 and avoid the smaller town centre roads over the whole course of the works."

The developer also responded to criticism this week that as many as 15 HGVs have been counted using the Borelli Walk 'haul road' in a single day, above the average of three HGVs per day promised by Crest at the planning stage.

The spokesman continued: "Crest Nicholson originally planned the bridge works on an average of three vehicles a day (six movements covering in and out) over the construction period, although we noted this could fluctuate up and down on a day by day basis.

"We appreciate a figure of 15 movements on one day is high but then there are other days where there are none.

"This peak would have been associated with the formation of the concrete foundation for the bridge abutment which is now cast.

"There are still further works to undertake on this side of the river which are associated with the access off the A31.

"That said we appreciate the sensitivities here, and have advised Waverley about this despite it not being embodied in the planning conditions.

"We will continue to monitor the number of vehicle movements using this access and if possible spread the peaks out a bit more."

The developer added, as part of its standard approach to site activities, measures are put in place to ensure it works within the constraints defined by its planning consent, "not only because it is required of us, but also because we understand that on any development there is an impact on our neighbours, which we work hard to minimise".

"One example," the spokesman said, "is the method that we use to suppress the dust that may be disturbed during the works. The site team are damping down the exposed areas of spoil that causes dust when picked up by the wind.

"Water is also used as a dust suppression throughout any works where dust may occur. Road sweepers are employed for areas of dust and are used frequently throughout the site."

Crest Nicholson has created an email address [email protected] for enquiries which residents can use to speak directly to a member of the Brightwells Team.

The FTSE 100 developer has also launched a website to keep people up to date with the scheme at www.brightwellsfarnham.co.uk .

The spokesman concluded: "We are committed to working with our site neighbours and the wider town to minimise the impact of the construction phase of Brightwells Yard wherever possible."