A HALBEATH resident has hit out at a decision to grant early opening hours for a Costa Coffee outlet opposite his home.

Mark Sherry, who lives in Lynebank Crescent, said neither he nor his neighbours received any notification for the plans, which were approved earlier this month.

PVY Ltd, run by businessman Gary Stenhouse, has been told the outlet in the freshly-named Pittsburgh Retail Park on Halbeath’s Main Street can open from 5.30am.

Councillors on the central and west planning committee were persuaded to allow the request after a new noise assessment concluded that early cuppas would not disturb residents.

However, Mr Sherry has expressed fears that this will not be the case and hit out at the latest development, which will mean drivers can stop off for refreshments from early morning until 11pm.

"I am 30 feet from it and they haven't consulted with us," he said. "They sent it (neighbour notifications) to Hotel Roma and Halbeath Filling Station, which have been away from the village for years.

"Everyone says they didn't get any correspondence. It is ridiculous. The filling station has been closed for 25 years and Hotel Roma and they have used their addresses. Houses aren't on this list but are right over from it.

"It is like we have been ignored. We are being disturbed. When the building was going on, my car was covered in dust, the house was covered in dust and no-one seems to give us a thought.

"The Burger King is 9am to 11pm. I know the clients can be boy racers and they will still be hanging about revving their engines after that.

"The last thing we needed was a Burger King when we are surrounded by a McDonalds and KFC."

The 5.30am start was approved after a new noise assessment tested how certain sounds would be picked up by nearby residents, such as voices or radios in cars with windows open, doors opening and closing, and vehicles driving onto the site to make deliveries.

Planners concluded the noise levels were “within acceptable limits” for the time of day and recommended that the committee gave the bid the green light.

Scott Simpson, the planner tasked with assessing the application, concluded: “The submitted evidence demonstrates that there would be no significant noise impact on Main Street were the approved Costa unit to open from 5.30am.”

Planning conditions were attached to ensure the Costa was as quiet as promised with the other units still being restricted to a 7am opening.