PLANS to extend the delivery hours at a Ledbury supermarket have been opposed by people living nearby, who fear an increase in noise nuisance.

The Co-op has applied for planning permission to allow deliveries to its store on New Street to take place on Sundays and bank holidays.

Under the current arrangements, dating back to a 1999 planning approval, no deliveries are allowed on those days.

In its application, the company says the restriction means the shop cannot take delivery of fresh produce on Sundays and bank holidays.

"It is very difficult for the store to stock the necessary amount of produce and for it to remain fresh from Saturday morning until the first delivery on Monday morning," says the company in its application.

But residents say that the Co-op has repeatedly flouted the existing restrictions on delivery times to their detriment.

Among the objections, a petition from Andre Bullock of New Street and five other residents says that the existing situation is an "unacceptable cocktail" for people living near the store.

It says: "Noise itself is not the sole issue - it is loss of health and amenity benefits that stem from that noise that are more significant.

"Residents are forced by the noise disruption to abandon the use of their gardens for six days a week, and on weekday evenings up to 6pm. Gardening is disrupted. Family outdoor occasions on weekends are regularly disrupted by frequent occurrences of sudden loud and unpredictable noise.

"The supermarket now seeks to extend those adverse impacts by revoking the one condition that affords residents any respite."

James Skelton, also of New Street. said he lived directly opposite the Co-op's goods entrance. He said: "Sleep is not possible weekday mornings after 7am due to noise from lorry engines and reversing alarms, We appreciate Sundays and Bank Holidays for the fact that we are not subjected to this noise pollution."

The decision on the planning application will be made by Herefordshire Council.

A spokesperson for the Co-op said: “We are aware that some residents would like to discuss our proposals, and we will be meeting with them in the very near future.”