NEWS that a planned Co-op store in South Cerney would be open until 11pm has caused outrage among residents.

A planning application to turn the former Mitie building in the High Street into a convenience store with houses behind was approved by Cotswold District Council’s (CDC) planning committee in September 2014.

Residents opposed the plans because they felt the increase in traffic the shop would cause would be dangerous for children who cross the road nearby, and that the store would cause congestion in the High Street.

Now the developers have asked to extend the shop’s opening hours to 11pm rather than 8.30pm as originally agreed. This would mean the Co-op would be open 7am to 11pm from Monday to Saturday and 7.30am to10pm on Sunday.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said she thought the new hours would be disastrous.

“People are going to be outraged,” she said. “They thought it was bad enough being closed at 8.30pm like the Spar in the village. The village closes down at this time. People here bought into living in a village and they want the life of a village. This is not a town.”

She added: “This will bring in extra traffic late at night. The people who live around here, I feel so sorry for them. There are no parking spaces or spaces to turn either. This is going to be pretty horrendous.”

CDC is expected to make a decision on the revised opening hours this month.