Hundreds of objections have been submitted to the council to save a “beloved” building in East Molesey set to be demolished.

Developers bought the former police station on Walton Road and intend to knock it down, replacing it with a two-storey building made up of nine flats.

However, 272 locals have objected to the plans, while one comment of support- which was actually an objection- was made in error.

Many believe the 100-year-old building should be saved due to its “architectural merit” and historical place in the community.

Residents do not want the “beautiful building” to be replaced by a “sterile and modern one”, and are also concerned about the increase in traffic the flats would generate.

One said: “Whilst I have no objection to the building being converted into accommodation it would be a crying shame if the splendid facade were to be demolished and replaced with a sterile and modern one.

“Surely this building must have some achitectural merit and the facade is really worth preserving.”

Another argued money made by developers is “never put back into the community as a whole”, while some suggested using it as a community space for locals.

Permission to build the new flats was granted by the council on September 14, but the application to demolish it is still under consideration.

Your Local Guardian: The proposals after the former police station is demolished

Yusuf Mountstephen, an East Molesey resident campaigning against the demolition, put up a banner saying “save me from demolition” on the building to help raise awareness.

He said: “Molesey is being stripped of all its historical buildings.

“We’re in danger of losing all the charm which is one of the reasons most of us chose to live here.

“It’s pretty straight forward really- keep the building façade and rebuild around it.

“This is the first proper build you see when you enter Molesey and it’s slap-bang in the middle of the Conservation area.”

Another concerned resident Adam Searle said he was “shocked and appalled the council are allowing this to happen”.

He added: “With the absence of police and community support officers, there has been a sharp rise in crime.

“By working local in retail I get to speak to many residents who have expressed concerns, the elderly and vulnerable are living in constant fear.

“To lose such an ironic structure of our once happy village to make way for private homes is a bad idea and it will be us - the residents - who will have to live with it.”

Residents can lodge objections or comments of support to the council up until this Friday (December 15).

A spokeswoman for Elmbridge Council said: “All comments will be taken into account in the consideration of the planning application including the fact that the building is locally listed and within the Conservation Area.”