Highbridge’s Asda supermarket has this week withdrawn its controversial plans to open the store 24 hours a day following concern from nearby residents.
We first reported last month that the Town Council had raised a number of objections regarding the supermarket’s plans to open 24 hours a day from Monday to Saturday and retain its current Sunday hours of 10am-4pm. But Asda this week withdrew the application.
Ward councillor Chris Williams welcomed the news. He told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I am very pleased this has been withdrawn.”
“A number of local residents have contacted me regarding their concerns about night time noise. We all feel 24 hour opening is not suitable here.”
The Town Council lodged a formal objection with Sedgemoor District Council, saying the plans would create “extra night-time noise, distrurbance and light pollution”.
Another Highbridge councillor, Bill Hancock, said: “Highbridge has enough problems – this extension of hours would be absolutely horrendous. Overnight opening would bring a lot more trouble into the town at night, particularly if alcohol were available.”
And Dale Bray, a resident who lives near the Asda store, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “There was a lot of opposition and concern about the plans. We don’t believe a small town of this size needs a 24-hour supermarket and we are all concerned about the extra noise at night.”
Residents are now anxiously watching to see whether the store amends the proposals and re-submits the application with slightly extended hours.
