A group worried that Epsom town centre is losing its vision has said "enough is enough" to any further high-density housing developments.

Campaign group Friends of the Parade (FOTP) garnered 452 signatures on a petition against such plans which they handed over to the council last week.

The group wants any new housing developments - such as those on Upper High Street, Depot Road and Church Street - to be considered in light of its objections.

The petition, supported by MP Chris Grayling, was acknowledged at last Wednesday’s council planning meeting and the group will now meet with Mark Berry, head of planning and building control, on June 8.

The petition said: "We, the residents of Epsom, wish to object to further high rise density housing in our town. New developments around the station in the town centre are damaging our town and incompatible with the market town image.

"In 2005 Epsom was voted the best place to live in the UK on television. In 2011, we were no longer anywhere near the top of the list."

FOTP member Susanna Klemm said: "The station development is the straw that broke the camel’s back.

"We don’t want any more big, bulky flats. There is no vision for the town anymore. Epsom is not a transient place - people didn’t move here so it could become like Croydon or Sutton.

"We need the councillors to stand up for the residents as well as for the developers of social housing. We want to work with them, not be fighting them.

"The word on the street is that people have had enough and are feeling powerless.

"If we don’t get a great dialogue with the council, we will hold rallies and have events planned as we don’t want another station development on our hands."

In a letter to FOTP, Mr Grayling said the council had made "serious mistakes" in allowing some of the current developments in the town centre.

He said: "It could have given permission for buildings on condition that they were developed in a way that is much more sensitive to the surrounding area.

"I have made my views known to the council leadership in the strongest possible terms, and I do hope they will listen for future applications."

Residents’ Association town councillor Ian Booker also said he understood the group’s concerns and hoped recent changes to planning laws would be a step in the right direction.

The Localism Act 2011 includes a requirement for developers to consult local communities before submitting planning applications for large developments.

He said: "The petition raises some very valid concerns that I share about Epsom town centre.

"Developers have an opportunity to enhance both their company reputation and the local area by using good design.

"It is apparent that many developers cannot be bothered, probably because they do not live in Epsom and do not have to look at their buildings for the next 40 years.

"However, recent changes in planning legislation have presented Epsom with an opportunity to promote the production of good design from developers that meet the expectations of our residents.

"I would hope that this will be a big step in the right direction as currently large developers have been overriding the planning process in Epsom by going to appeal and spending their money in getting our objections overturned.

"I just wish they would spend that money on improving their designs in the first place."

Coun Booker urged those supporting the petition to contribute to the new consultation for the Upper High Street, Depot Road and Church Street site on June 1 - July 13.

Ms Klemm said the FOTP's meeting with Mr Berry is a step forward, but not the end of the council’s battle "to regain the trust of Epsom’s people".

Do you think the character of Epsom town centre is changing for the worse? Leave a comment below or email your views to hmatharu@london.newsquest.co.uk