Plans for a pharmacy in Walton which neighbours feared would dispense methadone has been refused planning permission by Elmbridge Council.

The planning application to build a single-storey extension at Walton Health Centre, Rodney Road, to provide a pharmacy was submitted to the council in March, after the licence was granted by Surrey Primary Care Trust.

The application was refused by the council last week because the development would “by reason of its proposed opening hours and sitting, result in a detrimental impact on the residential amenities of neighbouring occupiers”.

The second reason for refusal was that the location was out of keeping with the residential character of the surrounding area and would result in a “potentially harmful impact on the retail provision and vitality and viability” of Walton town centre and the Halfway.

Councillor Andrew Kelly said: “I think the two reasons that are given are very strong reasons and the second one addresses the concerns most residents had, which is it is out of character with the area.

“I think the point is if you are going to build a shop out of the town centre, you have to prove the need for it and they did not attempt to justify that.

“There are a fair few vacant shops in the town centre.

“The length of hours was very unacceptable in a residential area.

“The credit really does have to go to the resident who did a lot of research around it. All credit to them for doing that.”

The Elmbridge Guardian is currently awaiting a response from the applicant.