A meeting about the proposed re-development of Upper High Street has been hailed as a "positive step" by the woman leading a campaign to protect Epsom’s character.

Tina Mountain, of the Save Epsom group, said more than 100 people attended the meeting at the town hall on Tuesday evening, saying the council "had to listen" to their concerns.

The council announced in July that the planning brief for the site, which includes options for parking, new housing and a food store, will remain open until September 21.

The move was welcomed by campaigners who held a rally in July calling for a pause in the consultation process because of the surge in developments in the town centre.

Ms Mountain said: "It was a positive meeting, it was the first of its kind and people now feel they have a right to speak out and someone will listen and we can’t let up on that.

"What came out of the meeting was how worried residents are about the developments and the trust they have in planning officers.

"They are concerned about whether there will be enough schools for the people moving to the area, whether pollution will increase, how the traffic - which is already appalling - is going to work, and whether Epsom needs another supermarket and multi-storey car park.

"This is Epsom’s land so it should be developed for the benefit of the people of Epsom, and what’s being proposed at the moment is not.

"But the planning officers did go out of their way to say they were listening and understood people’s concerns which is good.  In the end the proof will be in what they come up with."

The planning brief for the site can be viewed at Epsom and Ewell Borough Council's Consultation Portal .