The government’s Planning Inspectorate has upheld a local council’s decision to refuse Asda a 24-hour operating licence for a filling station in Leicester.
The firm had wanted to extend the site’s opening hours from 7am to 10pm, but Blaby Parish Council refused the application.
The authority ruled that “the associated vehicular movements, deliveries and operational activities of the premises during quiet nighttime hours would result in unacceptable levels of noise and disturbance for residents”. The council added that such disturbance would be “significantly detrimental”.
Undeterred, Asda lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate, which upheld the local authority’s decision, finding that the retailer had failed to demonstrate that extending the forecourt’s opening hours would not see local residents’ living conditions negatively impacted.
