Councillors are considering whether or not to allow a businesswoman to set up an alcohol delivery service from her house in Leek.

Mrs Eylem Ozkan, who lives on Broad Street, applied to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council in September for a premises licence to establish a delivery service from her house.

The business will not be physically open to the public, but orders would be taken via a website between the hour of 10am and overnight until 3am.

However, officers have advised against granting approval to Mrs Ozkan because they say her home is not a suitable location for this sort of business.

The council's environmental health officer said: "It is a significant change of use and should be subject to a planning application.

"This type of mini-warehouse operation is not appropriate for a terraced town house."

They added: "As stock is delivered into the car, there'll be slamming of doors and associated noise such as car radios – all this will be done in the early hours of the morning.

"We feel this is an inappropriate application for a residential property."

They said it would adversely affect Mrs ozkan's immediate neighbour – who has objected to the application – as well as people on nearby residential streets.

Speaking through a translator at the meeting, Mrs Ozkan said: "It is not going to be a big business, there will not be lorry-loads of goods arriving to my property.

"If it is necessary I can get a system which would gauge the noise in the property if that would help.

"I attempted to mention this to my next-door neighbour, I tried to talk to my next-door neighbour, but because I did not get a positive attitude I did not get a chance to discuss this with my neighbour.

"I'm going to take all precautions not to make any noise. Obviously I wouldn't want to bother people around me."

She told councillors: "As you know, the economy is not going that well.

"I already have a business place. As you know, prices are increasing and my business is not in a very good place.

"I am looking for a way out of this, and I would like to assist my family. I am not in any intention of bothering other people or making people uncomfortable.

"The only reason I have chosen this business is because it helps me in a way that means I don't have to pay rent or staff wages.

"I have been running a business in the last seven years. Due to Covid-19 I have found myself in an untenable position and this is the only way I feel I can make a form of living to assist my family.

"I believe that is the best job I can do at the moment in the circumstances."

Officers said they expected 15-20 deliveries per day, including throughout the night.

Mrs Ozkan tried to alter the conditions of the application – suggesting she use her property's back door, and hire an employee who would wind their car window down to pick up goods to avoid car doors slamming shut.

However, councillors were advised by the council's legal advisors that they could only consider the application that was submitted.

A decision will be notified in writing to the applicant within five workings days of the hearing, together with any rights of appeal.