EXTENSIONS to an agricultural building in Tottington have turned it into an “unsafe eyesore”, claim residents.

The building, in Whittles, off Turton Road, is used to house livestock and to store straw and machinery.

But its owner extended the building without planning permission, with work including an increase to its height. Richard Hindle later applied for retrospective permission to erect the building and finish the work that had been started.

He wanted to make it a consistent height, fully enclose the side walls, and install rainwater disposal pipes.

Last week’s meeting of Bury’s planning control committee heard the building had caused problems for people living nearby.

Janine Carter claimed the building was too high, unstable and had caused drainage problems.

She added: “Not only is it an unsafe eyesore, it is built right on our boundary line.”

Cllr Ian Gartside said: “Since the dimensions of this building were extended, without planning consent being sought, the local residents have experienced continued flooding of their garden.

“The encroachment of agricultural activity onto the residents’ gardens should not be allowed to continue and the building should be restored to its original size, which should reduce the amount of water being discharged into the residents’ garden.”

Cllr Jackie Harris said: “It is far too big, it is too high and I think it has a detrimental effect on the area.”

Cllr Yvonne Wright said: “Green belt land is a valuable asset. We should be striving for higher standards of building, even with agricultural buildings. That building is a very poor standard. It is far too tall for that location.”

The plans were rejected, with six members voting against, two in favour, and two abstaining.