COUNCILLORS have hit out at Aldi's plans to introduce unrestricted delivery hours at its Highbridge store amid concerns late night deliveries will disrupt residents.

The supermarket giant, which opened a store on Bennett Road in August, is currently only able to accept deliveries between 6am and 11pm each day as it is subject to a planning condition by Sedgemoor District Council to 'safeguard residents from noise and disturbance.'

But Aldi submitted an application to get the condition removed as they say a three-month unrestricted delivery trial period, which started in August, has been successful as no residents have made noise complaints to the district council.

At a planning meeting on Wednesday (October 10) Burnham and Highbridge Town councillors spoke out against the plans and said they think it is too soon for the supermarket giant to be granted permission.

Councillor John Parkes said: "They say they have not had any noise complaints but maybe they should engage with residents to see what they think.

"It is a bit rich of them to say there have been no objections when they have only been doing the trial for four weeks.

"A Travelodge is also coming to Bennett Road and there are going to be more lorries coming in and out.

"At this committee we are always banging on about consistency, do Tesco or Asda have unrestricted delivery times? No. "So why should we let Aldi? I am concerned we would be setting a precedent for future applications if we let this go through."

Councillor Louise Parkin echoed Cllr Parkes comments and said she thinks the supermarket chain's unrestricted delivery hours would 'not be compatible' with the new Travelodge.

"The trial only started at the end of August. It's a three month trial not a five week trial, they need to finish it," Cllr Parkin said.

"The lorries that come in and out of Isleport Business Park are still very close to a residential area. If the Lakeside development goes ahead it is going to be so close to it."

And Councillor Martin Cox also agreed with Cllr Parkes' comments and said he would like to see Aldi engage with residents more.

"It is a bit quick off the mark of them to want to end the trial period," Cllr Cox said.

"I would like to see Aldi seeking some feedback from residents and Travelodge about these plans."

Councillors unanimously voted against the plans as they said they were concerned about the close proximity of the development to the new Travelodge and wanted Aldi to complete the three month trial period and seek feedback from residents.

However, the final decision on the proposal will rest with Sedgemoor District Council.