VILLAGERS are “horrified” that two controversial developments, which they say will change Holcombe Hill forever, have been allowed to go ahead.

Farm buildings described as “monstrosities” which were built on Holcombe Hill without planning permission were given the green light to expand last week.

This means a 389-cubic-metre excavation of the sloping rural landscape, which is needed to accommodate the new structures, can now go ahead.

The planning committee has also granted permission for a green shipping container, which can be seen from Holcome Hill, to stay on site at Margaret Haes Riding School for at least five years – but its appearance must be altered.

Dr Falmai Binns said that approval of both applications has shocked the local community.

She said: “We feel that excavating out the side of our treasured Holcombe Hill to install an ugly 40-foot permanent barn, perhaps even to go down to the bedrock, and then spread the debris over this ancient previously open pasture, Little Holcombe Close, to create some earth bund, goes against all conservation protection.”

Residents commissioned a professional heritage assessment of the plans earlier this year to assess the impact of the proposed development on the hill.

Kathryn Sather and Associates, the same heritage consultants employed by Bury Council to produce the Holcombe Conservation Area Appraisal in 2010, concluded that the planning proposal will cause harm to the setting of the Peel Monument and to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

Dr Chris Woods, who also lives in Holcombe Village, said residents were “astonished” when the application was approved as it seemed “completely at odds” with the reasons for having a conservation area in the first place.

He said: “A huge wedge of earth will be cut from a 3.5 acre gently rolling meadow at the heart of the Holcombe Conservation area at the foot of Holcombe Hill, with prominent views of Peel Tower.

“Various buildings will be placed in this excavation including a large new agricultural storage building.

“In addition to this, a large mound of earth will be placed in the middle of the field in an attempt to disguise the excavation and buildings.

“In view of all the compelling planning arguments against the planning proposal, how on earth has this been allowed to go ahead?”

Dr Binns also said the community was “horrified” at the decision to allow a shipping container to stay on site nearby, despite attempts to camouflage it.

Margaret Haes Riding Centre, which uses the container as an administrative office, must now alter its appearance so that it is agreeable to the area.

The charity agreed to move the container approximately 10 metres west and said its exterior will be re-clad entirely with timber boarding and a grey roof.

But Dr Binns said: “There is no place for a shipping container in a rural village like Holcombe. We welcome so many visitors now. What will they think?

“We have completely lost faith in Bury Council and their care to protect the rural countryside.

“We try so hard to keep the village and the moors beautiful for folks to enjoy.”

A Bury Council spokesman said: “Planning applications are determined by the all-party planning committee on their individual merits and in accordance with planning law and policy.”