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Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council responded after the Dorridge Residents Opposed to Village Superstore suggested comments on the official store application had to be in by August 3.
The council's planning committee will make a final decision on the plan.
A DROVS statement this week said: “DROVS understands that the council is not obliged to accept comments received after the 3rd August; the group is urgently seeking an extension to this deadline.
“It’s unfortunate that Sainsbury’s have chosen to submit their plans during the holiday season.
“We urge everyone who wants a Dorridge-sized supermarket to write to Solihull Council planning department without delay.”
But the council said: “Normal practice is that any representations received after the close of the formal consultation period will still be reported to planning committee (either in the report if at the time they are received it hasn't been finalised, or via an update note on the day of committee)."
A Sainsbury's spokesman said: “Sainsbury’s would like to reassure members of the community in Dorridge that Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council will continue to accept and acknowledge comments regarding the planning application to regenerate Forest Court beyond the 21-day consultation period.
“Comments submitted at any time between now and the application determination date will be taken on board by ward members and planning officers alike.”
The firm last week submitted a planning application to knock down Forest Court for a 1,812sqm store, more than three times the size of Tesco in Knowle.
DROVS today said: "We were advised directly by the council that they're not legally obliged to accept any comments after 21 days."
Views can be given to G.Palmer, Head of Design & Development, Solihull MBC, PO Box 11652, Solihull B91 9YA quoting reference 2011/1107 or by entering the numbers in the two boxes here.
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