A disappointed Tesco has still to decide whether to appeal against last week's decision to block its controversial plan to open a big new store in Ashtead.

It was been refused permission to build the store by a nail-biting one vote, after campaigners collected thousands of signatures against it.

The retail giant’s planning application was turned down by eight votes to seven at Mole Valley Council’s Develop Control Committee meeting last Wednesday (February 3), even though council officers had recommended it for approval.

The plans received over 1,000 letters of objection and were the target of a well organised campaign by Save Ashtead Village Environment (Save), which collected about 6,300 signatures on a petition against the plans.

Gillian Russell, spokeswoman for Save, said: “We are delighted with the result and the fact that we will not have an over-sized store forced upon the village. We would like to thank all the councillors who voted in our favour.

“We all want the Esso site developed as soon as possible, we all want a thriving retail environment and now we all have the opportunity to work together to make this happen.

“Tesco need to sit down with the community and plan a revised scheme. Save has always campaigned for a smaller, self- contained store, with on-site parking, with only a front entrance which will draw shoppers into the other shops and promote vitality in the village, and with no changes to Ashtead's current car parking arrangements.”

Tesco's first plan to build a 1,115 sq m store had provoked fury among residents and shopkeepers and was rejected by council planners last year.

Tesco then put forward a smaller scheme for the former Esso petrol station in The Street, and temporarily suspended its appeal against Mole Valley’s decision to throw out its first plans.

The size of the newly rejected development had been reduced by a third and was designed specifically for Ashtead - rather than following Tesco’s “off-the-peg” store designs. The car park was also reduced from 211 spaces to 181.

Eoin Dardis, spokesman for Tesco, said: “Naturally, we are disappointed with the planning committee's decision. We will now reflect on that decision within the planning process as we review the options and consider next steps.”