Locals fear 8ft pile of mud could mean burglars target their homes as walkers peer into homes from ‘eyesore’ mound

LOCALS fear an 8ft pile of MUD could mean burglars target their homes as walkers peer into their windows from the “eyesore” mound.

The huge heap of topsoil has been ditched next to the new builds on Park Place in Corsham, Wiltshire, leaving homeowners horrified.

SWNS

SWNS

They branded the mound an “eyesore” and an “invasion of their privacy” – while others lambasted it for flooding their gardens.

The mound has now been covered in hip-high wild grass making it even more desirable for nosy walkers.

Joshua Broodryk said: “It is an invasion of their privacy. People could look into their yards, which could lead to criminals targeting their houses.”

Local resident John Gilham added: “While we are not as close as some residents, it remains the case that we still experience instances of overlooking and loss of privacy.

“The unlawful works are unacceptable and the proposed mitigation measures similarly inadequate.”

Locals protested about the stack of soil to developers Redcliffe Homes, who claimed it was abandoned there after an issue with contractors.

Corsham’s Park Place Residents’ Association chairman, Kevin Taylor said that the original plan was an “attempt to lower the level by as little as possible and minimise the cost to the developer.”

“We don’t think they’re [Redcliffe] removing more than 25 per cent of the soil they brought onto the site,” he explained.

“It will still be a large mound. I would say both the developer and the mound need to be brought back down to earth.”, 

Homeowners on the swanky new estate have echoed Mr Taylor’s concerns, complaining that the proposals do not adequately address the blight to their views and the risk of flooding.

Resident Mark Billingham said of the plans: “Redcliffe Homes have attempted to avoid removing a huge amount of construction waste from the site by dumping it on the application site illegally.

“They further sought to disguise this by importing topsoil to cover the waste.”

Marie Jones, whose house directly borders the mound, said: “This application is a clear attempt to mitigate the cost of proper legal disposal of spoil from the site.

“CHEAP” DEVELOPERS

“The developer has clearly gambled on doing the least they can get away with at the cheapest cost, to regularise the illegal development.”

Christopher Howlett said: “We live adjacent to this mound of earth and have already experienced flooding in our garden and round the edge of our garage.

“The proposal also allows for unacceptable levels of overlooking.

“Our end plot means that people walking over the earthworks look down into our garden and across into our house which means we don’t feel we have any privacy.”

Gary Cannon added: “The raised ground level provides a view into neighbouring residents’ first floor rooms which is affecting their privacy.

“I support the idea of a wildlife buffer but this could’ve been achieved with the original level.

”It seems that Redcliffe have tried to save costs by dumping their material at this site rather than dealing with it in the correct manner.”

FALSE PROMISES

Mr Taylor said some of the proposed mitigation works offered, such as planting trees in the space, was already expected to take place under the original plans.

Furious locals are also concerned about the powerlines that run over the area that could be obstructed by the trees – as well as the expense of maintaining them.

Ensuring they don’t interfere with the power is an issue that will fall on the residents – and their wallets – rather than the developers.

A spokesman for Redcliffe Homes said: “We are trying to resolve this matter as quickly and amicably as possible for local residents.

“The mound was put in place by a contractor and we are in a legal dispute with them, which we hope can be resolved quickly.

“A planning application has been submitted to remove the excess soil from this development.

“We regret that this issue is causing concern for local people.”