Store wars

FRONT entrance . . . Asda have proposed changing terms to allow deliveries outside store opening times through the main doors

A BID to allow Asda in Shaw to take front-door deliveries through the night has attracted a wave of criticism amid traffic and noise concerns.

The news comes after the Greenfield Lane store put in an official request to Oldham Council’s planning committee about a variation in delivery hours. Changes would allow the store to accept deliveries through the front entrance before 6am and after 10pm Monday to Saturday, and before 9am and after 5pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

But the application has been met criticism from Shaw councillor Howard Sykes.

The Lib-Dem councillor said: “I have not objected to previous applications, all of which have relaxed the original conditions imposed on this development, in terms of delivery times and opening hours.

“I formally object to what they propose now. The application means the customer entrance off Greenfield Lane gets used for commercial deliveries. The impact on local residents will be massive. It must be resisted.”

Councillor Sykes has formally requested the application be considered by the planning committee.

Currently, Asda is allowed to accept deliveries in a dedicated docking area between 6am-10pm Monday to Saturday, and 9am-5pm on Sundays, public and bank holidays.

The application says the Shaw store has been selected by the wider business to join a trial to take deliveries overnight to allow store staff to make up online shopping orders from 5am.

Delivery vehicles won’t use the service yard of the store on Dawn Street outside the currently permitted hours, but would instead unload in the store’s car park to limit the impact on neighbouring properties.

The application is expected to go before the planning committee in March.