A father with cancer who made a plea for an “oppressive” supermarket extension next to his home to be thrown out has failed to halt the development.

Carlisle City Council's planning committee said they were “sympathetic” to the plight of residents but gave Aldi permission to increase the footprint of its London Road store, bringing it within three metres of residents’ garden fences.

It was also permission to create 36 extra car parking spaces, additional trolley shelters as well as moving and upgrading their refrigeration equipment.

The decision came after members heard supermarket bosses had agreed to scale back the project after listening to residents’ concerns, and had made several concessions to reduce the impact of the development.

But for Stuart Queen, 38, , who was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in March last year and who recently learned that his illness has returned, the result came as a fresh blow.

Speaking to the development committee he summed up the concerns of residents including noise and the overshadowing of homes and gardens.

He added: “I have personal reasons [for opposing this development] too. I have had a recent cancer diagnosis and I use the back bedroom for rest and recuperation from chemotherapy and I don’t feel comfortable with the prospect of construction during my recovery period.

“Aldi will come five metres closer to our house and loom over our back gardens and it is already close enough. A further extension would feel oppressive.”

Despite his diagnosis and having a one-year-old son with a heart condition, Mr Queen took it upon himself to canvass residents living next to Aldi, a survey which showed 87 per cent were opposed to the extension.

Speaking after Friday's meeting, he said: “I have given the residents a voice. But my focus now is on beating the cancer.

"I want to live. I want to be here for my son Leon and my wife Laura.”

Another resident Peter Flynn likened the battle between Aldi and the objectors to a football game between Real Madrid and Accrington Stanley Reserves.

The mitigation measures put forward include a reduction in the roof’s overhang as well as moving a proposed retaining wall away from neighbours’ boundary fences.

Aldi has also adjusted the noise levels of the tannoy system following complaints; has agreed to include seven foot “acoustic barriers”; and to install a quieter CO2 unit as part of the plans.

Part of the ground to the rear of the store has become a magnet for antisocial behaviour but supermarket bosses insist that the re-development would help to stop people gathering in the area late at night.

Councillor Anne Glendinning said she did have concerns about the proposals but added: “The company has gone a long way to solve a lot of these problems.”

Simon Plumb, property director for Aldi, said the company has considered several options but this version offered the “least disruption” and was the “most cost-effective solution”.

He said: “We have listened and we have tried to incorporate suggestions. I am confident that the revised plans address the issues raised.”