Plans to turn a derelict park keeper’s lodge into a vets were approved in a knife edge vote last night.

The delighted veterinary practice welcomed the decision while thwarted campaigners were considering their options. They said "it is not the end of the story".

May 1: Plans to turn disused Nonsuch Park lodge into vets come under fire

Six councillors voted to permit the Nonsuch Park plans, but five others voted against them at a planning committee meeting at Epsom town hall last night.

Wingrave Veterinary Surgeries plan to build an extension with a two-bedroom flat above, nine parking spaces and an access way onto London Road, Stoneleigh.

Opposing residents have argued that the vets would destroy wildlife habitat, increase traffic and set a precedent for renting or selling off parts of the park.

But council officers recommended the approval saying the vets would bring the lodge back into use and safeguard the "conservation and landscape value" of its grounds.

Resident Peter Grinham, who spoke against the plans during the meeting, said: "I can assure you this is far from over.

"It is an extremely sad day for Nonsuch Park when a legal precedent was created by the Epsom Council planning committee.

"They narrowly voted to grant this application for a commercial operation to operate within Nonsuch Park.

"It was split five to five and the chairman voted with the application so it was approved."

He said it was "gratifying" that some of the councillors voiced their opposition and "were prepared to stand up and be counted" at the meeting.

Nic Dodds, owner at Wingrave Veterinary Surgeries, said: "We are delighted to have our plans approved for the London Road lodge site and look forward continuing to support our clients in this area and creating long term employment opportunities for local people.

"We believe this is a great opportunity to improve the site and meet the needs of the local community whilst further enhancing the park and protecting the environment.

"Our first steps will be to continue to work closely with the team of professional ecologists to ensure the conservation of the plant and animal life in the area prior to any building work commencing."

Planning lawyer Mina Rhodes, whose husband is a practice partner at Maven Vets in Cheam, said the planning application was contrary to open space and heritage conservation policies.

Mrs Rhodes said: "We are disappointed. It’s regrettable to see the council saw fit to ignore its own policy in granting permission for something that is wholly inappropriate for the site.

"It was a not a complete slam-dunk for the promoters of the scheme.

"We will be keeping our options open and seeing where we got next on it. I doubt this will be the end of the story."

A council spokeswoman said: "The decision to approve the application for change of use of the lodge building at Nonsuch Park to a veterinary practice was taken in full acknowledgement of the council’s policies.

"The relevant policies are set out within the report and were debated at some length during the Committee meeting. It was a finely balanced debate.  

"Members considered that, on balance, the use was appropriate taking all the planning material factors into account.

"A range of conditions were agreed that will ensure that the development is implemented in a manner that is sensitive to the park and its environs."

The planning report said: "Although the site lies within the Nonsuch Park Strategic Open Space, the proposed change of use and extension of the property does not constitute a loss of useable open space as it is within the defined curtilage of the existing residential building".