Residents furious after country views blocked by trucking firm which built 25ft mound of earth behind homes

Residents have been left furious after a massive mound was constructed behind their homes blocking their views.

The mound is at the edge of a site under development to become a new Mercedes truck sales and service centre for Ciceley Commercials Ltd, in Lower Darwen, near Blackburn.

Homeowners reached the end of their tether after the mound piled to the height of their houses and measured 600ft long.

Many, who describe the heap as ‘intrusive’ and ‘ugly’, have have lodged complaints to the council but say their protests have been ignored.

Terry Davies, whose house backs on to the building site, described the mound as an ‘eyesore’, and said he recently paid £15,000 for a new conservatory which now looks onto the mound.
Terry Davies, whose house backs on to the building site, described the mound as an ‘eyesore’, and said he recently paid £15,000 for a new conservatory which now looks onto the mound.

Homeowner Terry Davies, whose house backs on to the building site, described the mound as an ‘eyesore’.

The 52-year-old truck driver said: “I recently paid £15,000 for a conservatory to enjoy the views out back but all I can see now is a big pile of mud.

“Before we had lovely views of the countryside.

“I feel like this will really devalue the properties in the area.

Work under way at the site in Lower Darwen, near Blackburn, owned by Ciceley Commercials ltd
Work under way at the site in Lower Darwen, near Blackburn, owned by Ciceley Commercials ltd

“Nobody who I have spoken to is happy, we’re all up in arms.”

He added: “We knew they had planning permission because signs went up in the neighbourhood but no one expected this.

“I have written to and rung the council but no one is getting back to me, we’ve been left in the dark.”

Mr Davies said the work started on December 14 and that since then the mound of soil had gradually got bigger.

A digger at the site in Lower Darwen, near Blackburn, owned by Ciceley Commercials Ltd. Residents have been left furious after a large mound of mud appeared blocking their views.
A digger at the site in Lower Darwen, near Blackburn, owned by Ciceley Commercials Ltd. Residents have been left furious after a large mound of mud appeared blocking their views.

It now stands 25ft – the same height as the houses around it – and measures around 600ft long.

Another resident, 77-year-old Ray Winstanley, has lived on the road for 20 years but didn’t see the signs that went up before work began.

He said: “It looks like Donald Trump’s Mexican wall has come to Lower Darwen. It’s huge.

“It’s awful, they did not tell us they were going to be putting this there.

The mound has obscured the view of residents whose homes back onto the site in Lower Darwen.
The mound has obscured the view of residents whose homes back onto the site in Lower Darwen.

“I’m really concerned about the rain run off, the water is going to run from the top of the mound and into my garden.”

Karen Mercer, who has also lived in the area for 20 years, said: “It’s a massive eyesore.

“The diggers have been there since before Christmas working on the site but this has only just appeared.

“Why did they build it so high?”

Another homeowner, who didn’t want to be named, said: “It makes you feel like you’re suffocating.

“It’s really intrusive and it’s awful.”

Blackburn South and Lower Darwen ward Cllr John Slater said: “The amount of earth that has been pushed up near the residents homes seems excessive.

“We have been in touch with the council planning department and enforcement team about this issue.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council said it is looking into the complaints and will work to ensure the firm sticks to planning conditions.

Ciceley Commercials Ltd was contacted for comment.

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