The deadline to consult on a Tesco Express for Ealing Green has been extended, while local politicians back neighbours in questioning both the consultation process and the application.

Ealing Council received a planning application on August 12 from Mathew and Alemnesh Demetri and Tesco Stores Limited to extend an existing commercial space in St Mary’s Road with change of use to a residential unit at the back.

The initial consultation deadline the council gave was October 10 which is now October 31, and the council will accept comments until a decision is made.

Andy Long, 54, of nearby Cairn Avenue, said: “Politicians have realised there’s a serious problem with the consultation. Two meetings organised by residents were held last Friday (October 10) where people came to meet politicians and protest.

“They came to see the site and realised it’s not a great idea to have a convenience store here with multiple deliveries. The other thing is local businesses will be affected and I think the politicians realised that.”

Among those that went to meet neighbours were MP for Ealing Central and Acton Angie Bray, Labour Walpole ward Councillor Gareth Shaw, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Ealing Central and Acton Rupa Huq and Ealing Common Councillor Joanna Dabrowska.

Protest against Tesco Express in St Mary's Road, Ealing.

Ms Bray, who has submitted a response to the consultation, said: “Too many people seem to be saying they knew nothing about it. It would appear that the way it was arranged, it did not get to a lot of people. I do not think enough thought has been given to the impact frequent delivery lorries will have to the area. There’s also an issue of parking.”

An Ealing Council spokeswoman said there has been a very high level of interest in this application with more than 200 comments received so far.

She added: “The consultation has been run in the usual way but because of the unusually high response rate we will be extending the deadline. We will also be putting more site notices in the area to alert people and updating information on our website.”

Mr Shaw said: “Should planning officers recommend the decision is approved I will insist it goes to full planning committee for detailed scrutiny, and will speak against it on behalf of those who contacted me.”

Ms Dabrowska said: “With all planning applications I have always maintained a neutral stance due to the nature of my role as Conservative Planning Spokesperson. In this instance, for the first time since being elected in 2006, I’ve decided to step off the planning committee for this one meeting.

“I felt this issue is wider than just planning and will affect residents, local businesses and the spirit of the community and decided to support the campaign objecting proposals.”

Ms Huq, who lives in walking distance of the site, said: “I hail from a background where independent small trade put food on the table for my siblings and I.”

She said traffic issues are unresolved and it is in a conservation area.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “We have been in consultation with the community about our new store on St Mary’s Road since May and are still committed to the location. Our application has been submitted and we await a decision from council planning officers who we understand are currently in discussions with the highways team. Once we receive approval, we can continue with plans for the construction and building of the store."

The reference numbers for these applications is PP/2014/4452 and PP/2014/4453.