A group of pensioners have been left fuming after developers dumped a gigantic mound of soil behind their bungalows – which towers two-storeys high.
Residents in a quiet cul-de-sac in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, say the 25ft ‘bund’ at the back of their homes has blighted their views of the surrounding countryside.
It was constructed by developers Gazeley last October while they build two warehouses nearby and sits just feet away from their gardens.
Elderly neighbours are furious and claim it may even have a negative effect on the value of their homes.
Retired couple Alan Boutell, 73, and his wife Doreen, 63, are among residents who say the mound is an eyesore.
Alan Boutell, 73, his wife Doreen, 63, and their neighbours in a quiet cul-de-sac in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, have been left fuming after a developer dumped a 25ft ‘bund’ made of soil behind their bungalows
Pictured left to right: Alan Boutell, 73, Doreen, 63, John Hotterwell, 69, Brenda Hotterwell, 69, Lawrence Collins, 59 and Barbara Collins, 54, who are all furious over the large mound of earth that has been dumped behind their homes
An aerial view of the pensioners’ cul-de-sac in Doncaster shows how close the mound of earth is to the back of their homes
Bunds are among the most common techniques used in agriculture to collect surface run-off, increase water infiltration and prevent soil erosion.
Mr Boutell, a retired digger driver, doesn’t understand why the company has left the mound there, while council bosses claim it is a ‘visual and noise buffer’ to the surrounding warehouse construction works.
He said: ‘When it was first left, we all thought it would just be temporary. But, nearly six months later, it’s still there. Nobody can believe it. The company could make it lower or less visible.’
His wife Doreen said she fought the original plans for the construction of the warehouses with other residents on the street. She claims the local council ignored the pleas of many of the elderly homeowners.
Mrs Boutell said: ‘We used to be able to see the countryside when we sat out in the garden. Now all we can see is a huge pile of muck.’
The area is pictured covered in snow before developers Gazeley installed the large pile of earth there in October last year
The mound was constructed by developers Gazeley last October while they build two warehouses nearby and sits just feet away from their gardens (Mr and Mrs Boutells’ pictured)
The Boutells’ neighbour John Hotterwell, 69, has also been left outraged by the at the rear of his home.
As John only has a very small garden, he used to enjoy sitting in his bedroom to enjoy the view of horses and countryside.
Due to the huge mud mound being placed directly behind his home, he now says he ‘can’t even see the sky’.
Mr Hotterwell, a retired construction worker who lives with wife Brenda, 69, said: ‘I used to watch the horses going past the back of the house.
‘All I can see when I look outside is soil and pylons. During the winter, it was literally pitch black for months. We don’t have a view anymore, it is completely ruined.’
Roy Sykes, Doncaster Council’s Head of Planning, said: ‘The embankments are designed to act as a noise and visual buffer between residents and the proposed industrial development.’
A Gazeley spokesman said: ‘We have been working with the council to ensure that the construction and bunds (pictured) have as little of an impact as possible.’
Roy Sykes, Doncaster Council’s Head of Planning, said: ‘The embankments are designed to act as a noise and visual buffer between residents and the proposed industrial development.
‘They have been built to the approved height but following construction we have been made aware that some residents are unhappy with their size.
‘We are currently discussing potential alterations which address these concerns as well as ensuring the bunds remain an effective screen to the neighbouring employment use.’
A Gazeley spokesman said: ‘We have been working with the council to ensure that the construction and bunds have as little of an impact as possible.
‘We have been liaising with the Local Planning Authority to discuss the possibility of obtaining a consent for alternative landscaping or potential fencing to deter people from walking on the bunds.
‘These discussions are ongoing and we hope to find a solution for residents.’
The bungalows are pictured from the front before the bund was installed behind