A judicial review has been granted to assess the planning decision for a £17.9m sports and leisure complex in Walton.

The Royal Courts of Justice approved the review on Wednesday, May 25, put forward by Sunbury residents and the owners of The Weir hotel against the site in Waterside Drive.

The sports hub was given the go-ahead by Elmbridge councillors on July 6 last year, and will be solely paid for by the sale of the Stompond Lane sports ground.

It is hoped that the new facilities, including a new stadium, spectator seating and additional football and sports pitches, will be the new premises of several clubs in the area.

Sunbury residents living across the river claim the council “unlawfully applied the green belt policy” to approve the “large scale and wholly inappropriate development”.

Muriel Bankhead, of Parke Road, Sunbury, said: “Residents are concerned about the dramatic change of use from what was a scrub orchard.

“The floodlights and noise will have a negative impact on the local residents’ lives quality of life, ruin the view and harm the wildlife.”