COUNCILLORS have hit out at Lidl's controversial plans to change its delivery hours at its Burnham-on-Sea store amid concerns Sunday morning deliveries will disrupt residents.

The supermarket giant, who has a store in Oxford Street, is currently only able to receive deliveries on Sundays and Bank Holiday from 9am to 6pm.

But Lidl submitted a planning application to have the delivery hours extended so that deliveries can be done between 7am and 8pm.

At a planning meeting on Wednesday (May 22) Burnham and Highbridge Town councillors spoke out against the plans and said they think 7am is too early for deliveries to take place.

Councillor Louise Parkin said: "Whilst I don't have an objection to deliveries on Sundays and Bank Holidays I think 7am is personally a bit too early for people to be woken up on their day of rest.

"There are quite a lot of residents in that area. I think 9am is quite acceptable for deliveries as it will not disturb people who want to have a lay in. But I don't think 7am is acceptable at all."

Councillor Nick Tolley said he frequently hears heavy goods vehicles heading past his home in Abingdon Street to B & M Bargains and he has concerns residents would be affected if the delivery hours changed.

He said: "Where I live we frequently hear HGV's rattling past at all hours of the day making a real racket.

"A number of residents live near Lidl and a couple have already put forward objections and expressed concerns about this.

"I am firmly against Lidl's plans to change their Sunday and Bank Holiday delivery hours, I would like to keep them as they are."

But Councillor Andy Brewer said HGV lorries currently turn around to drop off deliveries during the day while shoppers are present and the proposed delivery times would make it safer for shoppers.

He said: "Our society has changed a lot over the last 20 years, we now live in a society where people expect to be able to pick up groceries on a Sunday.

"I have seen people reversing HGV's in the store's car park at busy times of the day when families are doing their shopping which is dangerous.

"However, I would be happy to support what the planning officer said when a previous application to change delivery times was put in in 2003.

"To protect the the amenity of local residents we should keep it the same as they will be affected if this goes ahead."

Councillors voted to object to the plans to protect the amenity of local residents but the final decision rests with Sedgemoor District Council.

For details or to comment on the application visit sedgemoor.gov and search for application number 11/19/048.