A FIERCE opponent of a supermarket's 24-hour opening on a Worcester housing estate claims people's lives are being "destroyed" by noise at night.

Sally Mills, chairman of the St Peter's Community Action Group, has called for city councillors to use common sense when they consider the future of 24-hour opening at Tesco's St Peter's store.

Mrs Mills set up the group with her husband, Craig, after the city council gave the company a 12-month trial period for 24-hour trading last year.

Up to 300 residents rounded on planning committee members at a public meeting last July after the trial was given the go-ahead.

Chief planning officer Peter Yates said the extra traffic in St Peter's Drive was not of a high enough level to refuse permission for 24-hour opening.

He said the traffic flow at night was lower than Tesco had predicted, and noise levels were too low for environmental health officers to object to.

But Mrs Mills, of Raven Drive, said committee members should try spending a night in the area rather than rely on statistics.

Sudden noise

"When you've got the window open at night in hot weather, you're woken up by cars speeding past," she said.

"It's the sudden noise that wakes you up."

The committee has postponed its decision on whether to make the 24-hour opening permanent until it has seen further evidence about the impact it has had on residents.

It is due to be considered by the planning committee within the next two months.

"At long last, it seems that reasonable common sense is beginning to prevail within the Worcester City planning committee, with some councillors considering the needs and feelings of St Peter's residents," said Mrs Mills.

"St Peter's is one of the most expensive places to live in the city, and we're having our lives destroyed."

A spokesman for Tesco said the feedback the company had received from the police, trading standards and environmental health officers suggested there was not a problem with 24-hour opening.

"We've put restrictions on night time deliveries, and trolleys aren't moved in the evening," he said.

"We want to be a good neighbour and we've taken steps to ensure that happens."