A former police station in Epsom town centre is set to be turned into flats after plans were approved by the council’s planning committee.

The building in Church Street, which ceased its operational use in 2012, will be demolished before making way for two residential blocks comprising 29 homes.

There will be 11 one-bedroomed homes, 11 two-bedroomed ones and seven three-bedroomed properties, while developers will also put in associated car parking.

One of the residential blocks will be a four-storey building while the other will be three storeys tall, and some apartments will have individual balconies.

Developers say they have created a design which “takes inspiration” from the surrounding area and build a modern development which will be a “confident and positive addition”.

But while there was some support for the proposals, the majority of comments received during the consultation period were objections.

Dr Lesley Duff, of Laburnum Road, said: “The design will be too large and dense for the green space around it. It will be overbearing for the historic houses in the vicinity and take away light from surrounding properties.

“Overall, the plans present something that looks like the blocked-in, fortress-like feel of Kingston – already evident in the Ebbisham Centre and the development at the junction of Church Street and the Upper High Street.

“I am very sympathetic to the need for more homes in Epsom but the reliance on unimaginative big square blocks of flats is detracting from Epsom’s character and turning into a typical homogenous suburb.

“Disappointing when there is so much scope for that site.”

Developers insist their application proposes a “sustainable” form of development that makes the best of existing brownfield site while not compromising surrounding amenities.

Their design and access statement reads: “The proposed design solution ensures that there is no detrimental impact on either the adjoining conservation area or surrounding residential dwellings and other buildings.”

Revised plans were submitted to the council after concerns were raised over the new development potentially affecting future plans for the adjacent ambulance station and health clinic sites.

The latest proposals were approved by Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s planning committee on March 14.