RESIDENTS complaining about noisy night deliveries at a Sainsbury’s superstore have been granted a short reprieve by the council.

For the past six months, the branch off Springhead Road in Northfleet has been receiving deliveries until 1am on weekdays and Saturdays, under a trial allowed by Gravesham Borough Council.

Previously, no deliveries were allowed after 9pm.

At a meeting of the Gravesham Borough Council regulatory committee on Wednesday, council officers agreed the store had not stuck to some of the conditions, including noise limits, and voted to put off a decision until Sainsbury’s has addressed the issues in a management plan.

Peter Price, senior planning officer, said: “Our Environmental Health officer observed the noise from the garden of 125 Springhead Road, it was above the noise limit in the conditions set from the lorries’ reversing bleepers.

“They also noted the delivery yard gate was left open.”

Stephen Binell speaking on behalf of Sainsbury’s, said the extra late night deliveries are necessary to ensure the store is fully stocked to cope with an increase in popularity.

He said: “The Noise Abatement Society (NAS) has taken an interest and we would like to discuss this further with them, we are also happy to work with the council on a management plan.”

The application was deferred and will come back before the committee at a future meeting.