EARLIER and more frequent delivery times approved for the new Marks and Spencer food store at Lion Green in Wey Hill have upset near neighbours.

The M&S food hall and cafe is due to launch within weeks and Waverley Borough Council agreed in February, despite 17 objections, that deliveries could be made between 6.30am and 8pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 9am-4pm on Sundays.

M&S said extended delivery times were needed to ensure the store was always stocked with fresh produce and the 6.30am start was required to ensure vehicles had left the store before customers started to use the car park.

Residents, who objected claiming the new delivery times were anti-social, have complained their concerns went unheeded by Waverley planners.

Monique Kirkwood told The Herald: “Our house is immediately adjacent to the Co-op site which is due to open as an M&S.

“There has been a supermarket here for a number of years but Co-op never used the loading bay at anti-social hours. We think this is an outrageous imposition and completely unjustified.

“We do not see why we should be forced to take the consequences of M&S stock management choices.

“We live in a quiet residential cul-de-sac behind the shop. We have had no problems with noise until M&S arrived. The reversing alarms and clattering of trolleys will be a huge disruption to our early mornings and summer evenings. These noises will be heard in our homes and half way up the street.

“We arranged a meeting with M&S on the assumption they were interested in coming to some agreement.

“They tried to convince us that rubber matting and thicker fence panels would absorb the noise, yet with bedrooms upstairs this was unlikely to offer much benefit. We are extremely disappointed with the planning decision and shocked at the attitude M&S has taken when we tried to discuss potential solutions.”

Haslemere mayor Melanie Odell attended the meeting when objectors put their concerns directly to M&S representatives. She said: “Haslemere was very pleased when Marks and Spencer took over the old Co-op site for a food hall and looked forward to welcoming them to the community.

“As the planning process went through, efforts were made to reduce disturbance to the neighbours as the delivery hours are likely to be earlier and more frequent than previously.

“While we acknowledge Marks and Spencer have been through the process and are putting more in place to alleviate the nuisance than they are required to do, it appears that communication with neighbours has been lacking.

“At a meeting I attended with Marks and Spencer and the neighbours recently, it was apparent the residents feel badly let down, both by the process and Marks and Spencer.

“There is understandable frustration and this was clearly pointed out.

“I hope Marks and Spencer are now able to fully communicate with the residents and a two-way dialogue be put in place to enable concerns to be raised and addressed.

“While Haslemere Town Council is not the planning authority, we have discussed the applications at our meetings and requested a meeting with Marks and Spencer – where we will again raise concerns of the neighbours and other points – which will be held shortly. Again I hope this will lead to a better communication path for all concerned.”

An M&S spokesman said: “We’re really looking forward to opening our new food hall in Haslemere and serving the local community. Being a good neighbour is of the upmost importance to us and we are taking measures to ensure our deliveries do not disturb local residents.”