Plans for 75 affordable homes in West Molesey have been rejected by councillors.

The site in West Molesey Industrial Estate is currently filled with warehouses, and proposals included a mix of flats and houses.

Council officers recommended the application be refused on the basis of it undermining the industrial estate, inadequate consideration being given to the impact on wildlife and the development being too crowded.

There was one letter of support for the scheme and 18 letters of objection from residents and nearby businesses.

Mr Cooper, who lives on Pool Road, the same road as the site in question, wrote: “There are industrial units to three sides of the proposed development. This is an unsafe environment for families to live in.”

The site has been subject to several planning applications now, all of which have been either refused or withdrawn.

Mrs Martin of Fleetside, West Molesey, wrote: “Should this application be successful it will set a precedent for a pattern of development that is not sustainable.

“Should the precedent be set then the industrial estate could become smaller, resulting in less employment. The site would gradually become more residential, thus affecting the infrastructure of Molesey itself.”

The one letter of support gave the reason that she was having difficulty selling her house with the derelict Helena Rubinstein factory being so close to her garden.

PA Housing, which submitted the application, has been approached for comment.