Horton Chapel is set to be transformed into an arts and culture centre for Epsom, after the council agreed to the plans.

Once part of the largest concentration of mental hospitals in the world, the Grade II listed building in Livingston Park has been vacant for at least 20 years and is in poor condition as a result of neglect and vandalism.

Ian Reeves, chairman of Horton Chapel Arts & Heritage Society, said: “We are absolutely delighted. We’ve still got a long way to go on the journey, but this is a big step.

“Our architects worked very hard with the planning team at the council. With the Grade II listed building, we wanted to make sure that it retained its unique character.”

The chapel will contain a performance space, a café and space to hire by local groups for rehearsals and teaching space, with the hope of it turning into a cultural hub for the area.

Proposals also included a permanent exhibition about the impact the hospital cluster, formed at the beginning of the twentieth century, had on the area.

The plans were the latest in a long series of proposals for the chapel, which is owned by Epsom and Ewell Borough Council.

Mr Reeves said: “An immense amount of work has gone into this so far. As a group we’ve done just over two years now – I wouldn’t like to put a figure on the number of hours.

“It really has been a blood, sweat and tears job. We are very proud of how far we’ve come and pretty hopeful that we will get the doors open, in the best case, late 2019.”

A decision on the final stage of Heritage Lottery funding, which would allow construction to take place, is expected in late June 2018.

Planning permission was granted at a meeting on Thursday, March 22.