PLANNING chiefs have granted permission to convert a pub into houses despite a record number of objections.

More than 400 residents disagreed with the proposals to change Reigate's Nutley Hall into one two-bedroom and two three-bedroom homes, either writing directly to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council or signing a petition.

Reigate MP Crispin Blunt also threw his weight behind the campaign to save the Nutley Lane pub, founded in 1827.

But councillors gave the plans the green light earlier this month.

John McGowan, Nutley Hall landlord, said: "This decision was a perfect example of the disdain and contempt the electorate is treated with by its elected representatives."

The 62-year-old, who has run the pub for about five years, believes the brewery will not move on the plans until he retires.

He explained: "I don't think the brewery could believe the plans were granted on the first application either.

"I only think they would move forward if I left and they couldn't get anyone else to take it over."

He said his regulars, who had taken the time to either object independently or sign the petition, were dumfounded by the decision.

"They are of the same opinion as me," he explained. "Why did we even bother to object?"

He added: "To the best of my knowledge, I understand a planning application has not received more objections in the borough than this one in the last five years."

Supporter Lucy Beach, of Upper West Street, Reigate, said: "As I understand it this is the most objections for any planning application received by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council in the last five years and also the change of use has been granted in record time.

"It seems to me that this decision has ridden roughshod over local democracy and not taken local opinion into account. The planning appeal process seems to work in the favour of the applicant rather than local objectors and there doesn't appear to be any appeal mechanism for locals."

For now, though, John said he would be focussing his energies on keeping the regulars happy.

He said: "It's business as usual. Nothing is going to happen in the near future. It's not closing down and we are not going to let it close down."

A borough council spokeswoman said: "We carefully examined the planning request that was submitted regarding Nutley Hall and made a decision based on these facts.

"The pub could have at anytime changed usage without planning permission. The brewery was fully aware of this. The council could not have halted the closure of the pub."