Fury as 30ft silos loom over Black Country homes
Two 30ft silos that tower over people's homes have been built without planning permission in the Black Country.
Residents are furious with cooking oil manufacturer, KTC Edibles, which has been ordered to stop work on the structures by Sandwell Council. The local authority stepped in following dozens of complaints from people living near the factory on the Tipton and Wednesbury border.
Residents said the silos had been built in recent weeks and branded them 'eyesores that must be removed'.
Marie Jarvis, who lives in Sefton Grove backing onto the factory, said: "They are horrendous, they ruin everybody's view.
"They look awful and it is all we can see from our windows. I just want them taken down. We weren't aware of it, nobody popped a leaflet through the door saying 'we are going to put up huge structures over your house, do you mind?'."
Sue Lloyd, who also lives in Sefton Grove, added: "They are twice the size of a standard house. They are imposing on the whole cul-de-sac. There must be quite a few hundred people who can see them from their windows.
"They are a complete eyesore and are encroaching on people's gardens."
Steve Davis added that the visual impact was 'intolerable'. Residents are also concerned house prices will plummet as a result.
KTC Edibles is believed to be planning to build more silos at the site but all work has been brought to a halt.
Sandwell Council said it was working with the firm, the largest manufacturer and distributor of oils and fats in the country, in an attempt to resolve the row.
While work on the silos has stopped, the company has not been instructed to remove them. Bosses could apply for retrospective planning permission, which would mean the council's planning committee deciding whether they can stay.
Nick Bubalo, area director for regeneration and economy at the council, said: "
We have been in contact with the company which has stopped work on them. We acknowledge the concerns raised by residents and will work with the company and their architects to resolve the situation."
KTC Edibles confirmed that it had spoken to the council but declined to comment further.
