Man fears 'intrusive' new Morrisons CCTV cameras are peering into his home

03 February 2023 , 21:28

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The CCTV cameras have been placed outside the Morrisons in Faversham, Kent (Image: Google)

A man living next door to Morrisons fears the store's CCTV cameras are peering into his bedroom and bathroom.

Residents compared the supermarket's security cameras to a prison camp and questioned whether they had planning permission.

The equipment was put up outside a Morrisons in Faversham, Kent, as part of the company's crackdown on parking violations.

But it later emerged that they were not signed off by Swale Borough Council, and the store had to apply for retrospective permission.

In its plea, the company asked for the devices to remain in place as part of its efforts to clamp down on drivers breaking the rules.

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But disgruntled residents have lodged objections, with some claiming the security system is invading their privacy.

Ralph Sinclair said the ANPR system represents "an invasion of privacy" and described it as an unnecessary eyesore in a conservation area.

Locals fear the car park cameras were installed without planning permission (Google)

In his letter to the council, Ralph penned: "I have an uninterrupted view of the camera every time I look out of my kitchen, bedroom, bathroom or rear living room window and it could have an uninterrupted view of me.

"This is an unacceptable breach of privacy.

"While Morrisons does not contribute a great deal to the character of this section of the conservation area, that does not mean they should be granted carte blanche to degrade it further through intrusive, ugly cameras."

The Morrisons car park is situated in a conservation area, where some properties date back to the 1400s.

In 2017, the supermarket retrospectively applied for planning permission for a separate ANPR system which was rejected by the council.

Speaking nearer the time, officials said the devices were "intrusive" and "unattractive", reports Kent Online.

Residents have complained again after the supermarket's latest security attempt was launched.

Locals said the lights illuminating the car park made it look like a "prison camp".

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The Mirror Online has approached Morrisons for comment.

In papers sent to the council, a Morrisons spokesperson said: "The proposal will assist in the management of the existing car park that serves the food store.

"Due to their small-scale and discrete nature, it is considered that the development is appropriate in its context and does not result in harm to the conservation area or to the listed buildings in its vicinity.

"The proposals also do not compromise the visual amenity of neighbouring properties."

Laura Sharman