Plans to create a cemetery and chapel in the greenbelt are being withdrawn after outcry from residents and "racial unpleasantness".

More than 500 objections have been submitted to Reigate and Banstead Council over plans for a multi-faith cemetery on 25 acres of pastureland in Croydon Lane on the outskirts of Banstead.

Last week hundreds of people attended a meeting to oppose the development that included burial plots, themed gardens linked by paths, a war memorial, water features, a building for ceremonies and a car park.

Justin Smith, managing director of planning agent Cemetery Development Services, said his client feels that the development has been unfairly represented in the press and is withdrawing the application.

Mr Smith said: "There has been a lot of racial unpleasantness that I think was stirred up a lot by the press. They are disappointed.

"They have been investing a lot of energy and time only to have it represented in a way it was never designed to be. This has been stirred up to get a story."

He said rumours that the development would be a Muslim burial site or include crematorium were "just not true" while the applicant's "best intentions for the community" had backfired.

He said: "I think they want to sit back and reflect. I think they are a little bit shell-shocked by it."

Robert Tucker, 83, from Bolters Lane, Banstead, rang the Epsom Guardian after discovering that the plan was being withdrawn in a conversation with a council planning officer.

He said: "I was surprised because one doesn’t know the reason.

"I think there’s been a great outcry about it especially from people who live in close proximity. I don’t necessarily object to the plans but I would prefer for it to include a crematorium.

"There isn’t one locally."

What do you think about the decision to withdraw the cemetery plan? Leave a comment below.

TODAY'S TOP STORIES