A scheme to develop land around Hampton Court Station was rejected by Elmbridge councillors in July with Molesey Conservative councillor Steve Bax playing a lead role in the debate.
Cllr Bax voiced concern of his residents that the plans for 97 apartments at the former Jolly Boatman site would dwarf the Victorian Station and ruin the views of Hampton Court Palace for visitors who arrive by rail.
There were also concerns of overdevelopment - as the plans also included retail and an 84-bedroom hotel - and was likely to contravene a 1913 Act of Parliament restricting heights in the immediate vicinity of the Palace.
Cllr Bax said: "This was a hugely controversial application which attracted 1,818 letters of objections. We'd all like to see the Jolly Boatman site re-developed in a positive way - it has been derelict for decades - but it must in keeping with the area and the special sensitivity created by Hampton Court, which is world heritage asset that my residents are rightly proud of."
Twenty one councillors voted to refuse with two abstaining. The developers have until January 2022 to appeal.
