News that Reigate Garden Centre is set to close later this year has been met with hundreds of local residents expressing their sadness and disappointment on social media.

The Tiley family has run the centre, on Sandcross Road, for 35 years but according to reports in the local media, chief executive Gary Tiley announced that the site had been sold to property developers.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's development management plan proposes to remove land surrounding the garden from the green belt, with developers understood to be eyeing it up for hundreds of homes.

A public consultation on the plan is open until February 23 with residents able to give their views on the council's website.

Separate plans are currently being consulted on for 23 homes to be built on the two-acre garden centre site.

Reacting to the news on social media some have called it a “shame” that they are losing a sanctuary that “holds precious memories”. Others have stated their frustration that the popular business and its surrounding green belt land could be lost to developers.