Campaigners opposed to a proposed Tesco in Ashtead face an anxious wait after a planning inquiry into the plans ended this week.

Inspector Nicholas Hammans is expected to decide within six weeks whether he will grant permission for the new supermarket, on the former Esso site, in The Street.

Campaign group Save Ashtead Village Environment (Save) told Mr Hammans the store would turn the village into a “clone town” and threaten independent retailers, while Tesco said it would boost trade in the area.

A spokeswoman for Mole Valley Council said: "The planning inspector is now making his assessment, based on the evidence that was gathered over the eight days that the inquiry took place.

"The inspector is likely to make his decision within six weeks. His decision will be issued in the form of a letter, which will set out the evidence, his assessment of the evidence and his formal decision."

Tesco submitted two planning applications to the council, the second 30 per cent smaller than the first, but the authority turned them both down. The supermarket launched an appeal, leading to a public inquiry beginning on July 20.

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