A supermarket's plans to open longer have been thrown out after noise complaints from neighbours.

Aldi in Carlton Terrace, Portslade, currently has permission to trade between 8am and 9pm Monday to Saturday.

But, in order to meet the growing demands from shoppers with busy lives, the firm wanted to extend opening to 10pm.

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After complaints from people living directly above the store, who feared it would lead to them having no sleep, Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee rejected the plans.

Angie Ross, speaking on behalf of owner residents who live above the store, claimed the firm had already breached the legal hours, having a knock on effect to her life.

She added: “I have made more than 100 comments to the council myself and nothing has been done.”

Planning conditions show staff from the firm are only allowed in the building between 7am and 10pm Monday to Saturday.

This is reduced to 9.30am and 5.30pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays in line with national restrictions on opening times.

But, addressing councillors, Ms Ross said there had been examples in recent weekends where contractors had been working through the night at weekends to refurbish the store.

She said: “Aldi already breach all of the current planning restrictions.

“We’re not going to be able to sleep if they’re allowed to open longer hours.”

Ms Ross was one of nearly 20 people who objected to the plans claiming it would affect local businesses and lead to more impact on residents.

In response, Rob Scadding, a planning consultant working on behalf of Aldi, said: “This decision has not been taken lightly but has been developed by customer demand.”

He added that by allowing the extra hours, it would mean the “anchor store” could open in line with its competitors in the area, which remained open until at least 10pm.

Mr Scadding said noise assessments had been carried out by the firm and presented with the planning application.

However Labour councillor Les Hamilton questioned why this had been taken in the car park and not in the store or in neighbour’s homes.

In total 11 of the 12 councillors voted to reject the proposal at the council’s planning committee meeting on Wednesday.