A BUDGET supermarket has launched an appeal after being told it cannot extend its delivery hours.

Lidl, which opened a store in Station Road in December, was given permission to build the store in August last year.

As part of the permission it is only allowed to accept deliv- eries between 6am and 8pm Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 7pm on Saturdays and 10am to 4pm on Sundays and public holidays.

But Lidl applied to change the condition to allow deliveries to take place from 6am to 11pm on Mondays to Saturdays and from 7.30am to 7pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

The budget superstore had initially wanted deliveries to take place 24/7.

Lidl argued the site was in a “predominantly industrial/commercial area” and said it did not know of any previous restrictions applied to the site.

Planning officers at Maldon District Council had recommended ap- proval for the change of condition saying the revised hours were “acceptable”.

But at a full council meeting, councillors voted to reject the application saying it would have a “materially adverse effect” on the amenities of nearby residents due to late night noise and disturbance from deliveries.

Lidl, which created 40 jobs in the town, has against appealed the decision.

Consultants Noise Assess found deliveries during the extended hours would not result in any significant increase in ambient noise.

Lidl’s appeal statement said: “The proposed variation of conditions will allow Lidl to operate effectively and efficiently and allow improved flexibility regarding delivery hours.

"The appeal proposals would not have any significant adverse impact on residential amenity, particularly when the measures to minimise impacts by way of noise and disturbance, set out in the submitted Delivery Management Statement, are considered.”

An inspector will now make a decision.