Godalming town councillors have objected to plans for an assisted living development on the former Moles Country Store site in Brighton Road after criticising the size and appearance of the planned building.

They also voiced concerns about the extra traffic the development would generate.

The plans for the two buildings, one rising to five storeys, had been met with objections from neighbours, who called it 'ugly', 'overbearing' and looking like 'a prison'.

Tonight Godalming Town Council's environment and planning committee voted to object to the scheme, citing overdevelopment of the site in terms of the bulk, scale and mass of the proposed building and its effect on neighbours, as well as suggesting improved vehicular access - possibly from Catteshall Lane.

Concerns about the cost of the new units and the impact of the building on the surrounding area also prompted councillors to object to the scheme under local planning polices that seek to protect the town's built heritage and ensure that new developments contribute to the local economy.

Town council leader Paul Follows told the meeting that the building would look 'out of place'.

"Its size when viewed from some of the surrounding roads is going to be significant," he said.

The building would be "classed as a piece of necessary infrastructure" in terms of what it provides, he said, referring to town planning policies that encourage provision of 'extra-care' developments. But he added that the apartments would be expensive, and therefore out of the reach of many local people.

"The design and scale of it is likely to be considered oppressive by people in the surrounding area," he added.

"It's too big, and out of keeping, and it could do with some design tweaks.

"I would certainly forgive a lot more in terms of design if this was more affordable, and it's not."

'Too big'.

Cllr Peter Martin said the proposed building was too big for the site, which is opposite the Prime Place development. "We had long discussions about the Key Site [the former police station site in Catteshall Lane where Prime Place now stands] and many of us were divided on the size of the development there," he said. "We should at least bring this down a storey." Cllr Jo Purvis voiced concerns about the number of cars visiting the new complex each day. "There could be carers coming and going through the day," she said. "GPs and therapists and district nurses will be visiting the residents. "There will be extra people coming in, and I suspect there will be more than the way they have painted it." And Cllr Bob Crooks said the extra traffic generated by the scheme would create 'a traffic logjam' at the busy Brighton Road/Flambard Way junction. 'Overdevelopment'.

Cllr Michael Steel described the scheme as "a storey too high and not terribly attractive", while Cllr Peter Martin added: "It's, in my view, overdevelopment. It's too big for the site. The scale and mass is too great."

Cllr Steve Williams added: "The nature and expense of the facility is not something I like. It's excessive in its current form anyway."

The committee agreed to object to the plans.

Town councillors are planning to meet with developers Birchgrove before the scheme goes to Waverley Borough Council for decision.