FIERCELY opposed plans to extend the opening times of a Co-op store in South Cerney have been rejected by councillors.

In September last year controversial proposals to convert the former Mitie building in the High Street into a Co-op shop with two homes behind it were approved despite residents' objections.

Residents who live near the former industrial building known as the Carted Barn complained that the shop would cause congestion and a noise disturbance.

Since then, Co-op had applied for permission to extend the opening hours of the store from 7am to 11pm Monday to Saturday, instead of the originally agreed 7am to 8.30pm.

It also wanted to open the shop from 7am to 11pm on Sunday, despite the original plans stating it would be closed that day.

However at Wednesday's Cotswold District Council planning committee meeting, members voted against Co-op's application to change the opening hours.

Cllr Sue Coakley rejected the proposals as she said that opening the shop later would cause congestion, prevent residents from sleeping and attract anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Juliet Layton also spoke out against the plans at the meeting.

She explained that the Spar shop in Broadway Lane, South Cerney, the village’s other main convenience store, previously had late night opening which attracted anti-social behaviour outside the shop.

Referring to the application being recommended for approval, Cllr Layton said: “The planning officers have not listened to the objections about anti-social behaviour.”

She explained that car lights shining into the resident’s homes near the building would prevent them from sleeping late at night, and she believed that was a risk to public health.

Tony Allen, a spokesman for the applicant, said an environment health assessment carried out as part of research for the change in opening times found there would be no negative impact.

He argued that the late opening would benefit shoppers from the village and beyond.

Peter Palmer, who lives across the road from the site of the store, said he was pleased with the committee's decision, adding: “Those opening hours would be absolutely intolerable for everybody that lives in the village.”

The shop is due to open later this year.