NEIGHBOURS have spoken of their anger after a Government official gave Sainsbury's permission for evening deliveries at a new store near their homes.

A planning inspector has over-ruled City of York Council and given the supermarket permission for deliveries as late as 8.30pm - two and a half hours later than the council said it would allow.

People near the former Groves Chapel on Union Terrace have been fighting plans for a new convenience store and 14 flats on the site.

Earlier this month they welcomed news that city councillors had turned down a request from Sainsbury's to allow deliveries until 7.30pm. That was too late for people living nearby, the councillors said, and the last delivery would have to be at 7pm.

York Press:

At the time developers S Harrisons warned that restrictive delivery times could put the whole project under threat, and put an end to the restoration of the historic building.

Sainsburys appealed, and the planning inspector ruled that deliveries should be allowed until 8.30pm - earlier than Sainsburys' initial request of 11pm but later than their later request to City of York council of 7.30pm.

Neighbour Rosy Dickinson is one of those who has campaigned against the new store.

Letting delivery lorries down the narrow Union Terrace is unfeasible, she said, as the street simply is not wide enough to accommodate them without block the road for other users.

"We are just flabbergasted by the decision.

"How can the local council say no to 7.30pm, and then someone from outside come in and allow even later?

"We are very disappointed, and feel let down by the council for allowing the plan in the first place."

She added: "It's not practical, and it's obviously going to be dangerous."