A public inquiry to decide on a giant supermarket’s planning application is due to start in a couple of weeks.

The inquiry into Tesco’s planning applications to build a large supermarket on the former Esso site on The Street is due to start on Tuesday, July 20, at 10am.

Tesco has submitted two plans for an Ashtead supermarket to Mole Valley. The first was turned down but Tesco lodged an appeal against the decision. The second application was 30 per cent smaller than the previous one but was also turned down.

Both appeals are set to be considered at the public inquiry.

Paul Le Versha, chairman of the Ashtead Residents’ Association, said: “As a result of the generosity of local residents we have been able to recruit a strong team to present the case on behalf of the community. We believe that Tesco’s proposals are ill-considered, inappropriate and would have a major detrimental impact upon the character and amenity of our village centre.

“In my opinion the revised priorities and approach introduced by our Coalition Government in its Programme For Government provides a far more sympathetic tone for the consideration of the concerns and priorities of local communities than was previously the case. We believe that there are very good reasons for the Inspector to confirm the decision taken by Mole Valley to refuse these applications and that these revised national priorities are generally helpful. “ Members of the public are welcome to attend. Those wishing to speak must be there on the first day to register. It is up to the Inspector to decide who may speak.

Gillian Russell, representing Save Ashtead Village Environment, said: "It is important that as many of our supporters as possible attend the inquiry as public attendance can help our case by showing the strength of public opinion. You can attend for all or just part of any of the days. The team of expert witnesses we have built up has exceeded our expectations due to the great generosity of the village and of the witnesses themselves. The further they have explored the planning case against Tesco, the stronger it has become. It should be an exciting inquiry."

The inquiry will be held at Pippbrook, Dorking, and is due to last for seven days.

Eoin Dardis, spokesman for Tesco, said earlier this year: "Our proposals for a new store in Ashtead were developed to strike the right balance in terms of providing the range of goods to prevent people from leaving the village to do their weekly shopping in a store that is the appropriate size for the area.

"There is support among local people, including local businesses, for these proposals and our application was recommended for approval by the council's officers based on its compliance with local planning policy.

"We will continue to liaise with the council in advance of the planning inquiry this summer."