THE operating hours of an auction site in Madley have been extended.

Brightwells Auctioneers in Stoney Street Industrial Estate applied to vary conditions on its opening times to be open 30 minutes earlier on weekday mornings (8am) and an hour earlier on sale days (7.30am), and to be open on Saturdays following sale days between 8am and 2pm.

The auction site was given planning permission in 2011 and holds sale days of agricultural and land based plant machinery on the second Friday of every month, although they are authorised to hold two per month.

Some residents were against the changes as they said they already have to put up with a lot of traffic in the village from the auction site, and also a popular Sunday car boot which takes place for nine months of the year.

An objector, Pat Breeze, who lives in Stoney Street, said if the Saturday hours were approved the villagers would only have two days a month respite from pollution and noise from the traffic.

Brightwells' agent said the extended hours on the weekdays would mean that there would less queuing traffic on the road outside the gates and the Saturday hours would give greater control of sale collections.

Herefordshire Council planning committee councillors listened to residents' concerns. Cllr Jim Kenyon said: "I cannot agree with starting at 8am on a Saturday. I can't agree with deliveries on a Saturday. It is about picking things up."

Councillors agreed on the earlier opening hours on weekdays and sale days. But they said Saturday opening times following a sale day should be 10am to 2pm, and not 8am to 2pm. Opening hours on a Saturday will be allowed for one year.