A SUPERMARKET chain's plans to revitalise and expand its "cramped" Oxted store have been rejected.
Hopes for 50 per cent extra retail space at Morrisons – already the largest of the town's four supermarkets – met with failure on Thursday.
But store has committed its future to Oxted despite the shock of having its expansion plans rejected. A proposal to increase floorspace at the East Hill store by 2,500 sq m, along with adding 20 parking spaces in a newly created elevated section of car park, was refused by Tandridge District Council's Planning Committee.
The rejection will spark mixed reactions from residents, as although about 100 near-neighbours objected to the plan, the council received 60 letters from residents supporting the expansion scheme.
Speaking in favour of the extension, Oxted South councillor Liz Parker told the meeting: "Turning down this proposal would impact on the vibrancy of Oxted.
"Without the revamp customers might be tempted to go elsewhere."
And she said the plan to introduce automatic number plate recognition cameras – to deter people exceeding the three-hour maximum stay limit – would discourage all-day parking.
But Oxted North councillor David Weightman warned the lack of additional parking spaces in the plan would have been detrimental.
He said: "If people came to the town and could hardly move because of a lack of parking, that could kill off shopping.
"We'd be left with a problem greater than we have now."
Piers Mason, the council's chief planning officer, reported the extension would cause not only disturbance to near-neighbours but also "significant harm to the character of the area".
After the meeting, Morrisons' spokesman Munish Chopra said: "We are obviously disappointed with the decision.
"It's a cramped store with high shelves and narrow aisles which needs expansion.
"If no improvements are made there, people could drift away to other centres such as Redhill.
"But we've certainly no intention of leaving Oxted.
"We are a proud member of the Oxted community, and the town's flagship store."
Mr Chopra said it was too early to say whether Morrisons would appeal against the council's decision.
But East Hill resident Hilary Ryan, who helped lead the campaign of opposition, said she was delighted with the outcome.
She added: "There's such an overwhelming feeling of relief. This scheme has been a blight on our lives for the past six to nine months.
"We would have faced a car park towering over our homes, as well as light pollution and late-night deliveries.
"We want to be able to enjoy our homes without the store destroying all of that."
