A "MAD" scheme for a Tesco at Redhill's busy Shaw's Corner has been thrown out by council planners.
The proposal for a Tesco Express store on the site of the Abbey Citroen showroom on the A25 Hatchlands Road drew about 60 objections from local residents, with only a handful in favour.
And the application has been rejected by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's planning department.
Officers turned it down for three reasons: it would spoil the Shaw's Corner Conservation Area they claimed, it could result in extra parking on the busy A25, and it could hamper pedestrian access.
The decision has been welcomed by Rev John Joseph, minister of Redhill United Reformed Church, next door to the car showroom.
"We are absolutely delighted that common sense has prevailed," he said.
"It would be mad to put a retail outlet in this location.
"We are relieved at the outcome."
Mr Joseph said many of his congregation were elderly, and found it very dangerous crossing the busy, fast-moving road.
Other objectors pointed to the plethora of grocery stores within a one-mile radius, the lack of parking spaces, and delivery trucks adding to the likely congestion.
The site has been a car showroom for more than 25 years, but Abbey Citroen has decided to vacate the premises.
John Sinclair, secretary of the church's finance and property committee, had also said a retail outlet should not be sited so close to the town's war memorial – which is only about 100 yards away.
Nick Lawrence, the scheme's planning agent, said the store would offer ready access to "good modern convenience provision" where previously people had to travel "considerable distances".
He said there would be a maximum of two lorry deliveries daily. The forecourt would be out-of-bounds to customers' vehicles, he added, with parking spaces for six shoppers' cars available behind the proposed store.
Tesco also offered to install three pedestrian crossings in the vicinity, as well as double yellow lines and bollards near the store.
A Tesco spokesman said: "We are still considering our options whether or not to appeal."
