Asda has been given permission to accept deliveries around the clock at its High Wycombe supermarket despite concerns from residents about noise and disturbance.
Buckinghamshire Council has removed restrictions controlling when the service yard at the store in Holmers Farm Way can be used for deliveries.
Which were previously permitted between 6.30am and 11.30pm from Monday to Friday and between 6.30am and 1pm at weekends.
However, the new permission will allow deliveries to take place at any time, including overnight.
Asda said greater flexibility was needed because shopping habits had changed, with growing demand for online grocery orders, home deliveries and click-and-collect services.
The supermarket warned that the restrictions could affect the availability of products, particularly fresh food, and said previous attempts to fit deliveries within the permitted hours had not worked.
It said the change would allow fresh produce to be delivered and unloaded before the store opened.
But residents raised concerns about the potential impact of noise and disturbance on nearby homes.
Objections also questioned whether there was enough evidence to justify the change and claimed it could set a precedent for other businesses.
Concerns were further raised about alleged breaches of the store’s previous planning conditions and a lack of consultation with residents.
Ward councillor Cllr Alam asked for the application to be considered by a planning committee if officers were minded to approve it.
He said residents had raised concerns that previous planning conditions had been breached, adding: “There are significant concerns of noise and disturbance to residents of such deliveries being permitted at any time.”
However, following discussion at a chairman’s briefing, it was decided that the application could be determined by council officers.
The council’s Environmental Health team initially recommended that the application be refused because of the risk of noise during the night and early morning.
Officers were concerned about sounds from reversing alarms, slamming doors, idling engines, tail lifts, metal delivery cages and staff and drivers.
They also said some nearby homes occupy higher ground overlooking the service yard, making the location particularly sensitive.
However, it later withdrew its objection after reviewing additional technical information, provided safeguards were imposed.
Under the permission, vehicles must not use tonal reversing alarms in the service yard between 11.30pm and 6.30am from Monday to Saturday or between 1pm on Sunday and 6.30am on Monday.
Asda must also submit an operational noise management plan to the council within three months.
This must cover delivery frequencies during the day and night, engine idling, tail lifts, delivery cages, staff training and the investigation of noise complaints.
Council officers concluded that these measures would protect nearby residents from unacceptable disturbance.
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