Amazon has applied for retrospective planning permission for a click and collect locker which has been sited without permission at a Deal garage since June.

The application applies to the site at the Esso fuelling station on Dover Road, Walmer.

Agent RPS Consulting Services Limited has prepared the application and in its covering letter says the locker, in distinctive "Amazon Yellow" are located to the side of the shop beside the car wash exit, fronting Dover Road and adjacent to the public highway.

The letter says "Click and Collect facilities such as these are an important and legitimate facility that meets the needs of consumers in today's dynamic retail environment and particularly against the current background of Covid 19.

"Amazon lockers provide a convenient and safe way for customers to collect goods which they have purchased at a time which suits them.

"The lockers contribute to sustainability objectives by allowing goods for different customers to be delivered to a fewer number of locations which is of direct benefit to the road network in terms of helping reduce congestion and promote linked trips."

The affected area of the site is 230 metre squared and the locker was installed on June 1, 2020.

The application reveals a Dover District Council planning enforcement officer has been notified that the retrospective application has been submitted so the lockers can be retained.

It comes as another retrospective application for the site has been submitted to DDC in the same week.

This is for permission to site internally illuminated fascia advertising sign which is also already in place.

That application has been made by Adcock Associates on behalf of owners Motor Fuel Group Ltd and the associated plans indicate this is advertising the Londis shop within the garage complex.

The locker has its own lighting - an internally lit canopy.

'The filling station has sufficient servicing and parking arrangements for deliveries to be undertaken without any adverse affect to the operation of the local highway network...'

Commenting on the Amazon application, resident David Cooper said: "My objection is to the bright lighting the locker requires as it is illuminated all night and is clearly visible from my front windows. My immediate neighbours must be similarly affected.

"I agree with the applicant that the lockers provide a useful and convenient service, but would ask if it would be possible to move the lockers to a less conspicuous location on the garage site where the lighting would be less intrusive.

"The shop already has plans approved for an extension, so perhaps it would be feasible to re-locate the lockers to the shop wall facing the pump area?This would also encourage people collecting their parcels to use the parking spaces provided on the site instead of parking on the main road with two wheels on the pavement as is currently sometimes the case."

Amazon's agent Paul Aldridge said: "Amazon has a single consolidated delivery to the locker each day. This will take place during the day. The filling station has sufficient servicing and parking arrangements for deliveries to be undertaken without any adverse affect to the operation of the local highway network.

"Deliveries to the lockers are undertaken by van, typically a sprinter type van.

"Similarly the filling station affords an opportunity for collections to be made on foot and or via a linked trip to purchase fuel etc.

"Sufficient parking space is available at the filling station to accommodate vehicle movements associated with customer collections."

The to applications were lodged on the district council's planning portal and will be decided upon in the coming weeks.

They can be viewed at dover.gov.uk, by searching applications 21/00177 (Amazon) and 21/00204 (Illuminates fascia sign).

To see more public notices, click here

Read more: All the latest news from Deal