AS KENDAL'S new Sainsbury's store takes shape at Shap Road, the supermarket company has set out its plans to be "a good neighbour" to nearby residents.

Further details of night-time car park security, noise levels and outside lighting have been lodged with South Lakeland District Council, ahead of the food shop and petrol station's anticipated opening in autumn 2018.

As reported by the Gazette, Sainsbury's will offer groceries, a cafe, pharmacy, bakery and 500 car park spaces at the former home of Kendal Rugby Club.

South Lakeland planners gave the green light to the new store back in 2014. Developer Morbaine has now provided detailed reports on how the site will operate.

According to planning documents, the outside lights proposed will have "no adverse impact with existing residential properties on Finley Close and Mint Bridge Road".

The filling station is to have four pumps, rather than the six originally planned, plus a smaller canopy, and there will be electric car charging points in the car park.

Likely noise levels from ventilation, chillers, air conditioning, boilers, fans and flues have been calculated, to show they meet acceptable levels.

Meanwhile, plans to prevent disturbance to neighbours from "anti-social behaviour" on the car park at night have also been set out. The car park is to be closed to the public between 11.30pm and 6.30am, but Sainsbury's staff will be working through the night to restock the store.

Rather than a physical barrier, which could wake up residents as it is opens and closed by night-shift colleagues, the plan is to use CCTV cameras and an automatic number plate recognition system. According to documents, this system has been successful in keeping unauthorised people out of Sainsbury's car parks at night at other stores.

Staff will be able to enter and leave the car park but will be encouraged to park close to the supermarket entrance, to "minimise disturbance" to residents.

If any neighbours are aware of problems, they can contact the store direct and register a complaint, which will be investigated, state the documents, adding: "However, it is in Sainsbury's interest to ensure that no unnecessary disturbance is created once the store is open. Sainsbury's has a corporate responsibility to ensure that it is a good neighbour and that the store can operate effectively alongside existing residents."