Controversial plans to redevelop the Stompond Lane sports ground may require building a new car lane to help ease traffic, it has been revealed.

The plans came to light during a north area planning sub-committee meeting on Wednesday, where the proposals for a mixed-use residential and commercial development were discussed.

During a discussion about access to the site, officers from highways authority Surrey County Council produced drawings of a new 3m-wide vehicle lane at the roundabout in Hersham Road and Stompond Lane, which would cut into a corner of the sports ground.

Committee chairman Councillor Chris Sadler, of the Walton Society, said it was the first time he had seen such proposals, while Councillor Ian T Donaldson proposed deferring the decision on the basis that the data was unclear.

But Elmbridge Council leader John O’Reilly pointed to several paragraphs in the report that stated work would not begin until highway improvements had been made. The application was approved by the majority Conservative Party, and will now go to full planning on January 14.

Speaking after the meeting, Coun Sadler said: “As I understand it, the idea is to create an extra lane to make it easier to turn left into Stompond Lane from Hersham Road. But because we haven’t been given the plans before, I’m not entirely sure.”

Muriel Bankhead, a Sunbury resident who opposes the application, said: “I feel it is ridiculous for them to be discussing an application with this paucity of information. None of it is clear, straightforward or transparent.”