The Court of Appeal has ruled that plans to turn a historic greenbelt estate into an exclusive golf course and hotel can go ahead after all.

In August a High Court judge quashed planning permission granted by Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) for the development at Cherkley Court near Leatherhead.

But Law Lords today overturned his judgement after an appeal by MVDC and developer Longshot Cherkley Court over the future of press baron Lord Beaverbrook’s former home.

Longshot Cherkley Court were delighted to announce today that they will be pressing ahead with the development which had been halted after a judicial review brought by the Cherkley Campaign.

Ian Todd, director of Longshot Cherkley Court, said: "From our point of view the Court of Appeal judgement and the overwhelming support from the local community have only strengthened our resolve to deliver a project, of which, the Mole Valley residents can be justifiably proud."

Yvonne Rees, chief executive of MVDC, said: "The appeal raised a number of important planning principles which are of significant interest to other planning authorities across the country.

"Such a decision reinforces the validity of the decision-making process that MVDC undertook."

In his judgement in the High Court, Mr Justice Haddon-Cave had ruled that "very exclusive private demand" was contrary to public need and highlighted the number of golf facilities already in the area.

He said a majority of councillors had made a "perverse" decision that the character of the landscape of Cherkley Court, in an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), would not be compromised.

In a statement today, Longshot Cherkley Court said: "Lord Justices Richards, Underhill and Floyd unanimously agreed that Mr Justice Haddon-Cave’s quashing order and costs order should be set aside.

"The planning permission for the transformation of Cherkley Court has now been reinstated.

"LCC, having bought the site three years ago, looks forward to pressing ahead with its implementation, thereby enabling them to fully preserve and transform this precious site of historic and environmental importance.

"Working closely with the local community, they are confident that Cherkley has an exciting future which will honour the building’s history, protects the precious landscape and ensures that this unique location is enjoyed by many people for many generations to come.

"The project will create up to 200 jobs across all the estate’s facilities and they will be looking to recruit at operational and management levels for the hotel, spa, health club, gardens, golf course and club house.

"Having already awarded the construction contract to the local company Wates, LCC will also be seeking where possible to employ local Mole Valley residents."