NEIGHBOURS living next to an under-construction supermarket are upset about an “overbearing” filling station being built right on their doorstep.

What they describe as an ‘overwhelming’ structure at the new Sainsbury’s store, being built on the former Kendal Rugby Club ground on Shap Road, has left them devastated and questioning the legality of the building.

The canopy for the new four pump filling station went up last week, and householders on Finley Close say they are concerned about the proximity of the structure to their gardens and have expressed fears about fumes, light and noise pollution.

Critics have also claimed that the filling station is closer to the boundaries of their properties than planning permission allows.

But this has been robustly denied by developers Morbaine.

Chris Ashton, who lives at Finley Close with his partner and four young children, said: “The site has had a huge effect on our mental health and wellbeing. The new canopy has overwhelmed our back garden.

“And with four young children, we are incredibly concerned about the impact of the fumes and the noise upon their health and wellbeing.

“I’m all for progress, and can understand the need for the rugby club to want to move premises, but Sainsbury’s and the developers Morbaine have absolutely no regard for the lives of the people this development is directly affecting.

“My partner and I have written to the council and to Sainsbury’s on behalf of the people on Finley Close asking why this has gone ahead, despite all the objections to the planning committee.”

In a letter to Sainsbury’s, Mr Ashton added: “Heartbroken and devastated doesn’t come close to how we feel. How can you put a monstrosity so close to somebody’s home?”

Morbaine director Alex Brodie said that they had full planning permission to build the structure, and were doing so within the guidelines specified.

He also explained that special measures were being taken to minimise the impact of the filling station on neighbouring homes.

“To say that the filling station is closer to the houses than the planning permission allows is not true,” said Mr Brodie. “We went through an expensive process during the planning application to make sure that we got the location for the facility right. We focussed on keeping it as far away from the houses as it could be in that location, and also sought to minimise its impact.”

Mr Brodie explained that there would be a three metre high acoustic fence between the station and the houses to minimise noise and screen the building.

He also said that there would be landscaping, including trees at least three-and-a-half metres tall on the other side of the fence to the filling station, to further limit visual impact.

“I can fully sympathise with the neighbours who are unhappy. Nobody wants a petrol filling station on their doorstep,” added Mr Brodie. “But we have spoken to the council and the environment officer and it has been established that this is the best way forward.

“I am more than happy to meet with those concerned to explain what we are doing and offer reassurance.”

Cllr Shirley Evans, whose ward includes Finley Close, said she supported the residents, adding: “I objected to this development when it first came to planning, and I still don’t feel like it should be there. The filling station should be put elsewhere on the site. I have been to the houses affected and seen how big the canopy is.

“I have written to the planning officer, who has been quite proactive and is looking into the concerns about noise and fumes.”

An SLDC spokesperson said: “Our planning department has received a complaint about the filling station which is now being investigated. We will not comment further until that investigation has been concluded.”

Sainsbury’s said: “We are aware of the concerns and are working to address this. We have planning permission for the works taking place.”