SAINSBURY's Waltham Point distribution depot and Loughton Old Station Road supermarket could face possible closure if the company's lorries continue to flout route restrictions through the district.

Epping Forest Council has written to the company threatening enforcement action against the depot and supermarket, unless Sainsbury does more to stop its delivery lorries using routes prohibited under the orders agreed when the two premises were built.

The council itself is facing legal proceedings if it fails to address the issue, following legal correspondence from a Loughton resident who has recorded several breaches near his more than 800-year-old Church Hill home.

A district council spokesman said: "We have received a letter from solicitors stating that their client is not happy about Sainsbury lorries going past his property and looks to the council to enforce the agreement or they will have to consider further action.

"We have written to Sainsbury, and copied our letter to the solicitor, stating that we have had further evidence brought to our attention. We have acknowledged that Sainsbury have made efforts to deal with this problem but it is clearly not enough to ensure compliance.

"We look to them to fully comply but if they fail to do so we shall have to consider enforcement action.

However, we hope it will be possible to deal with this on amicable terms."Rescinding planning permission for the depot and Loughton store would be available to the council as a last resort, although the spokesman said it was "very unlikely".

Solicitor Michael Legister, of Huggins & Lewis Foskett, said his client, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of possible retalliation by angry drivers, had instructed him to commence proceedings against the council unless it took immediate action to prevent further transgressions by Sainsbury.

In a letter to the council he said: "If you are unwilling to do so, our client will take appropriate legal action not only against yourself but also against Sainsbury for damages in respect of a nuisance that they have caused."

A Sainsbury spokesman said: "Our Loughton store opened in March 2003 and the planning consent included a specific requirement to route delivery vehicles to the store in such a way that avoided Church Hill. Sainsbury's accepted this planning condition at the time and remains fully committed to this agreement."We have robust processes in place to ensure our drivers and our suppliers only use the agreed route.

"We investigate all complaints and take appropriate action to ensure we and all of our suppliers adhere to the agreed route."