The green light was given at the council’s planning meeting on Wednesday 10th April.
The new centre will include a pool, gym, crèche, sports hall and community centre.
Additionally, outline permission was also given for 130 new homes on part of the Merland Rise recreation ground.
Banstead Athletic Chairman, Terry Molloy, spoke strongly against the plans. The council has already agreed to issue compulsory purchase orders to force the club to sell land to make way for the scheme. Gillian Hein of the Tadworth and Walton Residents' Association also spoke out against the scheme, which will see a large part of the existing recreation ground built on.
But councillors voted heavily in favour of the scheme, with just one abstaining.
Councillor for Preston, Gemma Harper-Adamson, said: “I appreciate there is some concern about the loss of green space but on the whole my residents are happy with the compromise.
“My residents are absolutely over the moon with the benefits there will be from having these new facilities and a new housing site,” she added.
Details taken from article by Jenny Seymour at thisissurreytoday
