WAITROSE in Romsey has been granted an extension to its permitted delivery hours – despite resident’s objections.
Test Valley planning chiefs granted the proposals during a Southern Area Planning committee meeting on Tuesday evening after acknowledging the strain both Covid and HGV driver shortages have had on the store’s supply chain.
The Alma Road supermarket asked for a two-hour extension from Monday to Saturday and an additional five hours on Sundays and bank holidays, meaning HGV drivers would be going to and from the loading bay until 10pm, seven days a week.
However, following discussions with council officers these requests were tapered back to an extra one hour from Monday to Sunday and three hours on bank holidays and weekends.
The applications further requested permission for the delivery of E-Commerce through a fire exit at the front of the store between 6am-8am and 9pm-11pm from Monday to Saturday, and 6am-9.30am and 4.30pm-11pm on Sundays.
The proposals were met by several objections from nearby residents during the consultation phase who were chiefly concerned about the increased level of noise at unsociable hours.
Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Sandra Gidley said she’d spoken to several people in the neighbouring roads who had reported hearing loud voices, boxes being “thrown around” and vehicles parked on the streets with their engines left running during the early hours of the morning.
Councillor Nik Daas made a representation to the committee. He said: “Waitrose is a good employer, I know that as I worked there while studying at college, and it has done a lot of good for the area. But this application pushes the good will of that relationship off a cliff. The noise and bright lights from HGVs arriving at the store at 9pm will be incredibly intrusive. How can we put forward an application which increases heavy duty diesel vehicles to the centre of our town? The wellbeing and mental health of residents will be affected by this. That sort of noise and banging around up until 11 o’clock at night is unacceptable.”
Speaking on behalf of Waitrose, Stacey Green said the store works hard to investigate any noise complaint it receives and encouraged residents to report future issues.
She added: “Over the last number of months there have been significant pressures on distribution chains, undermining our ability to manage stock. This has left us stretched and unable to meet demand leading to gaps on the shelf. The government has recognised the threat posed to food retailers by interrupted logistic chains.
“A Written Ministerial statement concerning the Delivery of Food and Essential Goods was updated on 15th July 2021, setting out how the food sector is facing a new, exceptional challenge resulting from the acute shortage of HGV drivers across the distribution network, and how local authorities should assist food retailers’ requests for flexible delivery windows. This application seeks both to respond to these challenging industry wide circumstances, and to meet customer demand for the home delivery service. Our E-Commerce will take place at front away from residents, operations take place without any detriment to residents in service yard.”
Despite concerns, Councillor Martin Hatley said what was being proposed “wasn’t unreasonable given the changing economy”, adding that he felt it was a “sign of the times”.
The application was granted by the committee, but not without further warning from Cllr Gidley.
She said: “On face of it, it would seem unreasonable not to grant the extension, especially given the challenges business are facing. However, what has totally depressed me talking to residents is that they have complained and since given up. I will be contacting them again, but I will also ask the representative takes heed of what has been said. We don’t make things up, we go out and find out what is happening on the ground. Because the E-Commerce deliveries will be arriving at the front of the store, I think this will have minimal impact, but there is some work to be done around scheduling as it seems regulations are already being flouted.”
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