Councillors are challenging a bid by Asda supermarket to turn its Bishop Auckland store into a 24-hour operation. Rachel Wearmouth reports

AN overwhelming number of people have backed councillors in their bid to prevent 24-hour opening at a Bishop Auckland supermarket.

Town centre shoppers backed residents of Holdforth Drive, who live close to the Asda store, before the issue goes to public inquiry in May.

Wear Valley District councillors are insisting on forcing a showdown with the retail giant, despite being warned that it could be left with a six-figure legal bill.

The council's development control committee has already rejected advice from the council's planning officers, who said they should withdraw from the hearing and back down from the fight.

Deputy council leader Charlie Kay, who is on the planning committee, said: "We made a decision in 2000 that we shouldn't give Asda planning permission for unrestricted hours, because it was in the middle of a residential area. Nothing has changed, so why should we back down?"

Since the store opened in 2002, residents have consistently complained of noise from delivery trucks, traffic and shoppers.

It is feared that all-night opening will worsen the situation and encourage anti-social behaviour KEEPING THE BEAT: Wolsingham musicians, from left, Ben Cramb, Hannah Mattinson, Jonathan Clark and Lucy Porter and drinking in the area.

The supermarket chain has agreed to keep deliveries between 7am and 9pm, and to invest £50,000 on soundproofing the site, if its plans are approved.

Councillors Geoff Mowbray and Margaret Douthwaite voted against a public inquiry, citing a waste of public money.

The inquiry is scheduled to take place on May 13 at the Civic Centre in Crook. Members of the public can attend but must arrive before the inquiry opens at 10am.

Asda has previously failed to comment on this issue.

Linda Corkin, who lives next to the supermarket, said: "I don't want it, because of the noise. You can hear everything that goes on.

"I didn't want the petrol station, either. It was totally unnecessary and it hasn't put anyone into a job. Why do we need it open 24 hours? It's open till 10pm, anyway."

Gerard Dobson, a father from Holdforth Drive, said: "You can hear the reversing bleepers and the loudspeaker in the warehouse all the time and especially at night.

"If it absolutely had to happen, we need some kind of noise control.

On the other hand, if they don't get it, they are not obliged to do anything about the noise."

Elaine Watson, from Cockton Hill, Bishop Auckland, said: "There is no need. There are very few shops that aren't open all hours and days."

Brian Dixon, spokesman for Holdforth Drive residents, said: "It has been noisy for the six years it has been open and it will be ten times worse if it is open all night."

Linda Hawley, from Holdforth Drive, said: "There are some times when I can't sleep, so I'd be all for it. In fact, I don't understand what the objections are. I call it my corner shop."