A woman who lives opposite a Tesco Express in High Wycombe said she no longer has any privacy due to its dominating height and flood lights that stay on late into the night.

Anna-Marie Gomme has lived in her Chapel Lane property for 16 years, but said that if she had known the new store would have such a detrimental effect on her quality of life then she would have considered moving.

The 48-year-old said she is happy there is a Tesco Express there, but feels it never should have been given planning permission due to its height and location in a residential area.

She is now seeking compensation for her loss of privacy.

The civil service employee said: “It faces my house and I have no privacy. I am not saying I don’t want the Tesco, but it’s built so high it overlooks my house.

“I have got the lights shining through my bedroom. There is a law on privacy and I haven’t got any now.”

Ms Gomme said that the Tesco store manager has been very cooperative, but her main qualm is with Wycombe District Council for granting permission for it to be built in the first place.

She said: “This is a residential area and my house is lit up like a Christmas tree. The flood lights shine through the door.

“I think Wycombe District Council thinks they can do what they want at the end of the day but nobody else would put up with this.

“The council should be answering as to why they allowed it to be built so high.”

She added: “Everyone is happy that Tesco is there but would they be happy if it was them living here?”

Terry Wright, 67, lives near the store and said that if one storey had been built then nobody would have complained, but at its current height it is “an eyesore”.

Catherine Spalton, spokesman for Wycombe District Council, said: “Each planning application is reviewed on its merits, alongside representations made by local residents and statutory consultees, such as the county council who comment on highways issues.

“This application was considered against all relevant planning policies and guidelines and permission was granted in November 2012, subject to a number of conditions being met.”