A DECISION on whether to grant Waltham Abbey's new Tesco superstore round-the-clock opening times will have to wait until the 11th hour.

Tesco has applied to Epping Forest Council for 24-hour opening but district councillors deferred voting until the next planning meeting, on the evening of Wednesday, July 6 - just hours before the Sewardstone Road store is set to open for the first time the next morning.

Councillor Ryan D'Souza said: "This is such a big issue we should be allowed more time to have a look at it and consult with all the residents who are affected."

Proposals include 24-hour opening for the store itself, Monday to Friday, closing at 10pm on Saturdays and 4pm on Sundays, 24-hour opening for the petrol filling station, hours of 7.30am to 9pm for the store's recycling area and 7am to 9pm Mondays to Saturdays, 9am to 6pm Sundays, for the Denny Avenue service yard.

Residents from The Green, Sewardstone Road, Howard Close and Denny Avenue are adamantly opposed to the plans, concerned that they will cause noise and light pollution and increased traffic flows throughout the night.

Councillor Reg Chidley said: "I wouldn't like to live anywhere near here. I cannot see any reason to have a 24-hour shop in Waltham Abbey."

Councillor Don Spinks said: "I'm sure we all agree Tesco is welcome in our town, but it's a matter of give and take. I would have thought 16 hours a very reasonable amount of time."

But Mr D'Souza, whose ward includes many of the affected streets, said even 16 hours may be too long. "I would have thought 8am to 9pm would be sufficient. Waltham Abbey is a very small town, not a big city that needs 24 hours. We don't want to be serving a huge, wide area."

He added: "I only received details of the proposals seven days ago and I want time to consult with the residents. You can see how much concern there is."

Councillors also expressed concern over the designated delivery times, the noise which would be created by refrigeration lorries and plans to direct delivery vehicles to park overnight in Honey Lane near the M25 junction.

Nada Grubnic, speaking on behalf of residents, said: "We're quite pleased with the way councillors were on our side but Tesco are a big business so we don't know what will happen in the end."

Tesco recommended 24-hour opening as convenient for shoppers and beneficial to security, reducing the potential for anti-social behaviour in the car park.

Police have backed the plans.