Park and ride for Elmbridge during the Olympic Games looked more likely after councillors voted it through to full planning.

Councillors, who voted the plans through seven votes to three, said it would be crazy not to grant permission, despite an officers’ recommendation to refuse the plans for Apps Court Farm in Walton.

The recommendation made the case that special circumstances were needed to develop on the greenbelt land and suggested these did not exist.

But Councillor Barbara Cowin argued that it was a one-off opportunity which constituted exceptional circumstances.

Apps Court has applied to operate a park and ride service over the eight-week Olympic period.

Under the plans, a shuttle service would take people from the site to Hampton Court station every 10 minutes, working in a similar fashion to when it has been used during the Hampton Court Flower Show.

The farm has space to accommodate 2,300 cars, in two parking areas, and facilities for private caravan rallies.

Associated camping also formed part of the application, which will come up at full planning later this month.