A man living next to a Morrisons superstore fears ANPR cameras installed without planning permission could be peering into his bedroom and bathroom.

The supermarket in North Lane, Faversham, erected the devices in a bid to crack down on violations in its car park.

But after it emerged they were not signed off by Swale Borough Council, the chain applied for retrospective permission to keep the equipment in place.

However, the bid has attracted several objections from neighbours – with some believing the security system is invading their privacy.

In a letter sent to the local authority, West Street resident Ralph Sinclair said: “I have an uninterrupted view of the camera every time I look out of my kitchen, bedroom, bathroom or rear living room window - and it could have an uninterrupted view of me.

"This is an unacceptable breach of privacy.

“While Morrisons does not contribute a great deal to the character of this section of the conservation area, that does not mean they should be granted carte blanche to degrade it further through intrusive, ugly cameras.

“The ANPR system represents an invasion of privacy, is an eyesore in a conservation area and is unnecessary.”

The car park is located in a conservation area, where properties in the area dating as far back as the 15th century.

In 2017, Morrisons retrospectively applied for planning permission for a separate ANPR system which was later snubbed by the authority.

At the time, officials branded the equipment "intrusive and unattractive features".

Following the launch of the latest bid, locals have also complained that the lights illuminating the car park make the site look like a “prison camp”.

Neighbour Susan Lamberton said: “Living directly opposite now means the lights shine right into both our front bedrooms.

“The whole installation resembles a prison camp and is certainly not in keeping with a conservation area.

“We also have no guarantee that the ANPR cameras are not able to see into our home which is an additional concern.”

While the floodlighting is not a new feature of Morrisons' car park, residents now say the illuminations are required to be on all night to allow the ANPR to function.

However, a spokesman for the supermarket stresses the cameras use infrared technology and do not require additional lighting.

Papers lodged with the borough council by Morrisons state: "The external appearance is similar to CCTV, but the sole purpose is to view number plates.

“They are therefore retained at a fixed angle, faced downwards towards the car park to identify car number places.

“Due to their small-scale and discreet nature, it is considered the development does not result in harm to the conservation area.”

A Morrisons spokesman says the cameras were installed "to ensure adequate parking for our customers at all times".

"The system is used for car park management only, it is not a CCTV system and it complies with all GDPR regulations," he added.

"We can confirm that we have submitted a robust planning application with detailed information explaining how the proposal complies with all policy requirements, adheres to the local authority's heritage and conservation policy."