Furious neighbours claim they were denied a chance to have their say after a supermarket doubled the size of its planned store - with alcohol sales across the whole shop floor.

Sainsbury's won a bid in August 2023 to open a 24 hour branch near the entrance to Hampstead Heath in Gospel Oak, despite fears over alcohol sales to children and rowdy drinkers on the Heath.

Camden Council had approved the supermarket's application to change the use of two units in the courtyard of Spectrum House, an art deco building in Gordon House Road, amid concerns about late opening hours, alcohol sales times, antisocial behaviour, traffic and lack of consultation.

Under the licence, alcohol can be sold from Monday to Saturday between 8am and 11pm and between 10am and 10pm on Sundays.

After a small poster went up on December 8 specifying ‘minor’ alterations to the licence, residents tried to make representations by the December 22 deadline, but found no details available online.

Jessica Jacobs, who lives nearby, said when they asked the council for an extension given the lack of documents, they were told it was "just some technical difficulties".

She said: "Residents have been very concerned not only about the scope of the plans but also the way Camden has responded to our concerns.

"The minor variations are that the store is to more than double in size and the whole premises can now be used to sell alcohol.

"This shop is not needed by residents, it is totally focused on serving visitors - and residents are justifiably annoyed at the way they have been fobbed off at every turn by Camden."

Another neighbour, who sent in an anonymous representation, said the store was directly opposite houses, and near Gospel Oak Primary School and three secondary schools in Highgate Road.

They added: "There is concern that the older children may approach someone going in to the shop to buy alcohol for them."

They said there was also a concern schoolchildren could be harassed.

"This has been reported to be a serious problem at the Sainsbury's Local in Tufnell Park, close to Acland Burghley school," they said.

Camden Council said it was unable to extend the consultation period when an applicant had made an application correctly and met the requirements set out in the Licensing Act 2003.

A spokesperson added: “The council can only consider representations where they relate directly to the variation and its impact on the statutory licensing objectives outlined in the Licensing Act 2003.

"In this case, it was agreed that the change to the layout did not have any adverse effect."

Sainsburys was contacted for comment but has not responded.