An appeal has been lodged against the refusal of planning permission for a controversial care home on a college site.

The Goodman Group has partnered with Nescot College and wants to build 150 units for elderly and infirm residents on its animal husbandry site in Reigate Road, Ewell.

The group has now appealed to the Planning Inspectorate after Epsom councillors threw out its plans, contrary to the advice of officers, in April.

Your Local Guardian:

The Nescot farm site in Reigate Road, Ewell

Councillors decided the "overbearing" building was a case of overdevelopment with inadequate parking and no affordable units. Developer contributions and archaeological studies were deemed insufficient.

Planning permission refused for care home on Nescot College site in Ewell

In June, Nescot College received planning permission for 91 homes on the rest of the 14-acre site and plans to sell the land to fund renovations to the college.

Controversial college plans for Nescot site approved by Epsom councillors

Residents' Associations and neighbours have opposed both developments and raised concerns over traffic, parking and strain on local facilities.

Brian Angus, chairman of Ewell Village Residents' Association, said: "It was inevitable that the green space would be developed, even though I think it’s an important green space because it is highly visible from the bypass."

He added: "The council have refused the nursing home on the basis that it was too big and overpowering. Inevitably a smaller nursing home will get agreed, assuming the planning inspector does not say the council was wrong."

At a planning meeting in April, Councillor David Wood said: "There’s just too much being asked for on that site. The parking provision is inadequate there."

But Simon Webster, managing director of the Goodman Group, told the meeting that it was a "unique opportunity" to provide care for the elderly and work experience for Nescot students.

A Nescot College spokeswoman referred questions to the group which has not yet responded to a request for comment. 

She said: "Renovation and redevelopment work is ongoing at the college and is due for completion by September 2015."