Campaigners opposed to a new Tesco in Ashtead have refused to accept a planning inspector’s approval lying down and vowed to continue fighting the supermarket giant.

Villagers said they hoped Mole Valley Council - which twice turned down Tesco’s applications and spent thousands of pounds of taxpayers' cash on legal fees during an appeal - would disrupt the chain’s plans by not letting it use the Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall car park.

Planning inspector Nicholas Hammans gave the go-ahead for the new store, in the Street, Ashtead, last week, but imposed a condition that the authority needs to create 74 extra long-stay spaces to reduce the problems of increased on-street parking and ensure adequate room for the supermarket’s customers.

Linda Butler, of Save Ashtead Village Environment (Save), said: “Residents believe the existing parking arrangements work well for themselves, visitors, workers, shops and shoppers and it begs the question why would Mole Valley Council wish to change the arrangements just to meet the demands of a supermarket which the overwhelming majority of residents have made it clear in their submissions they do not want.”

Chris Grayling, MP for Epsom and Ewell, said most villagers believed the approved supermarket was too big, adding: “I hope the council will say to Tesco: ‘You may have your planning consent, but you won’t have your car park unless you come back with a proposal we will accept'.”

Campaigners have called for residents across Mole Valley to contact their councillors, who are not allowed to lobby each other over planning issues, and ask them to support their battle.

Caroline Cardew-Smith, of green group Transition Ashtead, said: “We are certainly concerned I think, as a number of people are, as to why the council would give Tesco permission to use the carpark. It is, after all, owned by the council and used by the village, why should it be radically changed to fit in with what Tesco want?”

Councillor Clare Curran, portfolio holder for planning at Mole Valley Council, said: “We shall consider the implications of the inspector’s announcement very carefully and weigh up what is in the best interests of the district, before deciding what to do next. This includes the issues surrounding the use of the council’s car park at the Peace Memorial Hall.

“The council is committed to protecting the character of our environment and engaging with the community, listening to what is said, and where we can, acting on the wishes of our residents.”