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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Neighbour's fury as homes flooded with light all night from new Amazon warehouse

Amazon has been accused of flooding homes with light by keeping its huge new 'cruise ship' warehouse illuminated all night every day.

While Britain endures an energy crisis, the online retail giant is keeping the depot's five-storey car park lit 24/7, despite being largely empty.

Locals complained the building in Poole Harbour, Dorset, looks like it's about to set sail around the Med for a fortnight.

There have also been complaints from stargazers that the bright white LED lights are flooding out the stars.

Other residents said the grey development is spoiling their views of the stunning natural harbour.

The huge warehouse from across Holes Bay during the night (Max Willcock/BNPS)

Bob Clarke, a retired builder who lives in a bungalow in Hamworthy, across the water from the building, said: "It has been really annoying me. It illuminates our windows at night.

"It's diagonally opposite us in the harbour. We are lucky that we have a tree that partially blocks the light coming into our windows. If not for that evergreen we would have the light streaming into our rooms at night.

"I just can't believe that they need every floor lit at all times of the night especially when everybody is struggling with energy costs, it doesn't seem to be affecting Amazon."

Residents said the car park is barely used at night and shouldn't be lit up (Max Willcock/BNPS)

The Amazon warehouse opened at the end of October.

The huge complex covers 10 acres of land and operates through the night.

It was granted planning permission by BCP Council after Amazon made a financial contribution of £329,000 to be spent on ecological sites around Poole Harbour.

Many people moved to the coastal suburb of Hamworthy for the views across the water and have built balconies or house extensions to make the most of them.

Bright white LED lights are also flooding out the stars, people claimed (Max Willcock/BNPS)

Alison Green lives directly across the harbour from the depot and she doesn't think the impact on locals was even considered when the warehouse was given planning permission.

She said: "I used to enjoy looking at the stars on an evening but now I can't do that because of the light pollution.

"Now that has been completely ruined by this massive car park, it looks like a cruise ship at night.

"I don't think whoever planned it even considered the impact it would have on people living on this side of the harbour.

Amazon said it's looking into the matter and wants to a good neighbour (Max Willcock/BNPS)

"I know they won't take it down but I hope that they hear our concerns and start covering the lights so it isn't quite so incredibly bright."

Matthew Baker posted on a tongue-in-cheek message social media: "Turn off your own lights and abracadabra, free household lights courtesy of Mr Bezos. A cheap, easy solution to save a few quid. Thank me later."

The depot employs around 300 workers and sends tens of thousands of parcels across five counties in seven waves every day.

An Amazon spokesperson said: "We always strive to be a good neighbour and we're looking into this matter."

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