Planning permission has been refused for a funeral building at a new Muslim burial ground backing on to Farnham Park.

Waverley Borough Council’s western planning committee dismissed the plans at land off Hale Road on Wednesday last week against the advice of officers.

The Ismaili Trust had applied for a “building of exceptional quality” to “create a special place for families to say goodbye to loved ones”.

The application included car parking for 180 mourners – with the “vast majority” expected to travel from London.

But a cross-party motion, proposed by Conservative councillor Carole Cockburn and seconded by Farnham Residents’ John Ward, saw the plans thrown out.

The refusal notice states: “The proposed building due to its size and scale together with its ancillary infrastructure would affect the openness of the site impacting on the character of the area.

“The proposal would therefore be contrary to the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan and Waverley Local Plan.”