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

In September 2014 controversial plans to convert the former Mitie building on the High Street into a shop with two homes behind it were approved despite residents objections.

Residents who live near the building complained that the shop would cause congestion and noise disturbance.

At today’s district council planning meeting, councillors voted against a change in the plans which would see it open from 7am till 11pm on Monday to Saturday, instead of the 7am to 8.30pm originally proposed. It was also proposed that the store opens between 7am till 11pm on Sundays.

Cllr Sue Coakley voted against the proposals as she said that opening the shop later would cause congestion, prevent residents from sleeping and attract antisocial behaviour – and her fellow councillors agreed.

Cllr Juliet Layton spoke out about 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 but closed because it attracted anti social behaviour outside the shop.

She said: “The planning officers have not listened to the objections about antisocial 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 applicant 14I Capital ltd, said that an environment health assessment, carried out as part of research for the change in opening times, found that there would be no environmental impact as a result of extending the opening hours.

He explained that the late opening would not only be of benefit to shoppers from the village, it would also benefit those from nearby villages.

Peter Palmer, who attended the meeting and lives across the road from the proposed store, said he was pleased with the decision.

He said: “Those opening hours would be absolutely intolerable for everybody that lives in the village.”