Plans to redevelop Twickenham station were approved at planning committee tonight, amid delays and noisy protests followed by fury at the eventual decision.

Solum Regeneration - a joint venture between Network Rail and Kier Property - has been granted permission to build three blocks of flats, restaurants and shops on the site.

The meeting was disrupted after people who received letters from the council inviting them to attend were told there was no room for them inside.

Protesters rattled the doors and windows of the Salon in Twickenham's York House, after being told they could not get in.

Eventually the people outside, numbering 85 against the plans and two in favour, were allowed to watch the planning committee meeting through open doors, separated from the main meeting by two security guards.

Members of the Twickenham Residents Action Group (Trag) have opposed the plans and urged Richmond councillors go against officer recommendations and reject the plan.

The application, which has been promised before the Rugby World Cup in 2015, had the support of the RFU.

Five councillors on the planning committee voted for the plans and four voted against.

There was uproar after the meeting, with the decision overshadowing the controversy earlier in the evening.

Trag member John Watson said: "I thought the debate was of particularly pathetic quality. The whole community support issue was given no weight at all.

"They ignored their own policy (on the maximum height of a building) and also the community's feelings."

Trag now plans to take the decision to judicial review at the High Court.

Councillor Scott Naylor said: "I'm gobsmacked by the decision made."

Opposition councillors said the buildings were higher than council policy allowed, lacked affordable housing and the construction would have a negative impact on people living around the site, particularly in St Mary's Terrace.

But all five Conservative councillors voted for the plan on the condition disabled toilets were provided and a liaison officer brought in for St Mary's Terrace and Cole Park Road residents.