Plans to build more than 1,000 homes on greenbelt land along the River Mole have been unanimously rejected by councillors.

The Drake Park ‘garden village’, earmarked for the land east of Molesey Road in Walton and south of Fieldcommon Lane along the Mole, was thrown out by councillors at the joint meeting of the East and North Area Planning Sub-Committees at Elmbridge Council.

Developers Bonnar Allen had hoped to build 1,024 homes on the site, along with a primary school, a doctor’s surgery and dentist, a supermarket a pub and offices.

An application submitted last year was withdrawn in October after planning officers recommended the proposals be rejected.

The newest application had received more than 1,000 objections citing impact on infrastructure and overpopulation, with only 41 in support of the proposals.

Edward Chetwynd-Stapylton, planning officer for the council, slammed the plans for being “inappropriate development of the greenbelt”, as well as citing the impact of traffic, the environment and neighbouring infrastructure as reasons to recommend refusal.

The committee voted unanimously to throw out the plans on Monday night.

Mick Flannigan, resident of nearby Rydens Road, spoke in opposition of the proposals.

He said: “The application has been characterised throughout by spin and misinformation. 

“The people of Walton are not stupid, so the applicant has been a victim of its own economy with the truth.

“The applicant has claimed to be listening to the concerns of the people.  In that case, why was it not obvious that Drake Park was deeply unpopular and utterly unwanted?

“Why have they persisted with such a rotten application, in the face of such widespread public condemnation?”

Mr Flannigan vowed that any appeal by the developers would be met with “renewed campaigning and lobbying of the planning inspector.”  

Councillor Roy Green, portfolio holder for housing and member of the planning committee, said the “right decision” had been made.

He said: “Apart from the greenbelt, heavy traffic in Hersham and the petrol of 2,000 cars was concerning. They need to rethink it, I think.”