FRUSTRATED residents hope last-ditch talks with a supermarket will stop it from extending its opening hours at a controversial store and becoming a “ghetto”.

Tesco wants its Prettygate store, in Cotman Road, Colchester, to open from 7am to 11pm when it finally opens its doors later this year.

Residents have complained it will cause noise, problems with parking and they have no need of it with a Co-op round the corner.

Plans for the hours extension were almost refused at Colchester Council’s planning committee.

However, after guidance from officers, they decided to defer making a decision to ask Tesco if it would open only until 10pm.

Sally Langley, of Cotman Road, said: “This will create more traffic and parking is already bad. Residents don’t want strangers parking outside their home late at night.

“It will have a huge impact on people’s lives.”

Jackie Maclean, sitting on the committee, said: “It’s an amazingly busy area.

“My biggest concern is this is going to attract a lot of people and possibly anti-social behaviour.

“It’s going to be a ghetto to all who congregate.”

Will Quince, Colchester councillor for Prettygate, said he was confident a deal could be reached after the plans were deferred.

He said: “This is an improvement.

The Co-op already opens until 10pm and there is no need for Tesco to open any later.

“I think many residents will be pleased if the hours can be brought down. I’m disappointed, though. We cannot do anything about Sunday hours because the store is too small to be considered for regular Sunday trading hours and, therefore, can open longer.”

Plans for new signs, adverts and a cash machine for the site were all rejected by the committee.

Only one proposal, for three bollards to be put in to stop people from enterting the car park when it is closed, was given the go ahead.

However, some residents said it had been a mistake to allowTesco the go ahead in the first place.

Elizabeth Cropton, of Whitefriars Way, said: “How long they open for makes very little difference. It’s still going to be there and create all these problems.

We don’t want a supermarket there. It’s nothing personally against Tesco.”