'MINOR' changes to Tesco's plans to open an Express store in a seaside town prompted fresh concerns from neighbours.

The supermarket company gained planning permission last year to convert Grange-over-Sands' Royal British Legion Club, sparking worries from townsfolk about the impact of extra traffic and noise from deliveries and refrigeration units.

Now, South Lakeland District Council has given Tesco consent to make some 'minor amendments' to the approved plans. They include keeping an outbuilding - described in planning documents as an old smokers' shed - that had been earmarked for demolition, and using it as a plant room to operate chilling and ventilation equipment in-store. An ATM is also to be located at the front of the Express shop.

A letter on behalf of several residents of Fernleigh Road, behind the site, raised concerns about potential noise disturbance from the use of metal cages and also an external chiller just three to four metres away from the nearest neighbour's window.

Grange Town Council objected to the changes on similar grounds.

Approving the amendments, South Lakeland planners decided that predicted noise levels were 'within appropriate levels'.

They said that the potential impact of 'noise and odour' on neighbours should be fully assessed and submitted to planners for approval. They also set a limit on noise levels from the plant room, and said that between 10pm and 7am there should be no air conditioning, deliveries, bin emptying or moving of metal cages, to 'safeguard' neighbours.

Last year a Tesco spokesman told the Gazette that the supermarket would be 'a good neighbour in Grange-over-Sands'.