DUST and noise from brick crushing are ruining a beautiful rural area say angry villagers.

Bosses at Sky Garden Ltd, a green roofing company, have applied to use Sandfield Farm, Sandfield Lane, Sedgeberrow, near Evesham, for brick crushing.

The brick crushing already takes place every four to six weeks for two days at a time so the change of use application is a retrospective one.

The company has been given notice to quit by the landowner but is seeking to operate until October 1 as they try to find a new premises for the operation.

The controversial application was discussed at a meeting of Wychavon District Council planning committee at Pershore Civic Centre on Thursday when planners voted to defer it.

Maureen Pratt, chairman of Sedgeberrow Parish Council, described the retrospective application as ‘undesirable’, involving industrial use in an attractive rural area based around agricultural and horticultural business.

Other objections centred on the lane which critics say is unsuitable for carrying large heavy goods vehicles.

The single carriageway lane is a dead end, has no kerbs, drains or pavements.

She said: “The verges and road surfaces are being severely damaged by large vehicles trying to pass.

"The parish council cannot understand why the county council should raise no objections to this application.

“Brick crushing is extremely damaging to the character and environment of this rural area and adversely affects the amenities of residential properties and local residents.”

She was also concerned that, should a temporary change of use be granted, a further extension or even permanent use ‘would be extremely difficult to resist’.

Derek McMullan, another objector, said: “Detriments include noise and dust generated by the operations.”

He described the site as ‘a waste recycling area’ and added: “We believe it is an unlicensed one.”

Mr McMullan also referred to dust entering the water course and said the application should contain a specialist ecological report as the area was home to the critically endangered European Eel.

Steve Raftery, one of the directors at Sky Garden, said the company employed 25 people from the local community and had to introduce brick crushing to respond to market competition, to reduce their costs to compete and maintain the business.

He added: “We have always tried to be sensitive to the local community.”

He said crushing was only carried out every six to nine weeks which only lasted for two days which provoked calls of ‘rubbish’ from the public gallery.

Mr Raftery said the operation met obligatory noise levels.

Cllr George Mackison, representing Elmley Castle and Somerville, said he was concerned there had been no opportunity for a site visit, describing the area as ‘open countryside’ with beautiful views of the Ashton under Hill side of Bredon Hill and argued that brick crushing was ‘a noisy process which could be described as recycling'.

Cllr Tony Rowley said the lane was narrow and a low loader was needed to bring a 360 degree excavator onto the site.

He said: “We only need one incident and we have a real problem. I am amazed there are no Highways objections to it and I’m amazed it’s not a county matter.”

Cllr Keith Wright said: “This is a waste recycling process. It should be referred to the county. I certainly won’t be voting for it.”

Councillors decided to defer the application to see if it’s a Worcestershire County Council matter. If it was decided it was a district matter they also said they would need a site visit.