Sainsbury's to convert pub despite 200 objections

There will be 11 parking spaces, with one reserved for blue badge holders and another for electric vehicle charging

A former pub in Surrey will become a new Sainsbury’s convenience store, despite hundreds of letters objecting to the plans.

The Ash Tree, in Convent Road, Ashford, closed in January 2023 and many residents in the town have branded the “derelict” building an “eyesore”.

Sainsbury’s said its new store would rejuvenate the site, create 25 jobs and offer the local area “good food at affordable prices”.

But Spelthorne Borough Council received 206 responses objecting to the shop, including one saying there are already too many convenience stores in the town.

Many people said the new store would put pressure on street parking, increase traffic and air pollution, and encourage anti-social behaviour, whilst the nearby Nisa Local store expressed “unease”.

There were 79 comments from people supporting the application, which was given the green light by 15 councillors while one objected, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.