RESIDENTS in a picturesque Worcestershire village have claimed the "dream" home of two retired doctors is so ugly it has made them ill.

It is another twist in the extraordinary saga of Dr Michael and Marjorie Cox's house, in Wick, near Pershore, that neighbours say is "hideous" and are battling to have bulldozed.

Edward McMillan-Scott, a Conservative MEP who lives in the village, claimed the development is so bad neighbours have become depressed.

"Several people living around the house have been diagnosed with clinical depression since it was finished," said Mr McMillan-Scott, vice-president of the European Parliament, who lives in a listed building 250 yards away.

"It is a horror. It is oppressive and it blocks historic views."

One resident said she is now on anti-depressants because of the issue.

"This house looks straight into my own and I don't even like going into my garden anymore. I find it very oppressive," said the woman, who did not want to be named.

"It has been the final straw for me and I went to the doctor feeling suicidal. I also know of at least two others who have become depressed."

She is considering legal action against Wychavon District Council, who granted planning permission, for the way they have handled the matter.

The modern villa-style home was designed and built by the Coxs' architect son, David, and the couple has been living there for 11 months.

They were unavailable for comment, but previously told the Worcester News: "It's a wonderful house to live in.

"We have had lots of favourable comments."

Wychavon District Council's monitoring officer, Ian Marshall, wanted to draw a line under the long-running issue.

"It is only fair to the occupants of the house, which has planning permission and has been lived in for several months, to let the matter rest," he said.

He declined to comment on claims surrounding neighbours' illness.

Mr McMillan-Scott has contacted the Office of Deputy Prime Minister to overturn the planning permission and bulldoze the house.

A spokesman for the ODPM said it was "unlikely" to happen.

'IT MAY AFFECT THEM'

A DOCTOR has doubted a house could cause depression - but said long-running arguments between neighbours certainly could.

"Different people get depressed for different reasons," said Dr Glenn Ralphs, of Abbotswood Medical Centre, in Defford Road, Pershore.

"I can't believe that a house makes somebody depressed but, obviously, if somebody is involved in a protracted social or legal problem it may affect them psychologically.

"If someone is very passionately involved in a particular issue it could get them down."

Clinical depression is characterised by a lack of energy, lack of interest, tiredness and a lack of appetite.

TIMELINE

March 2003 - the Cox's won planning permission for the home and building began

May 2004 - the home was completed and the Cox's moved in

November - an Ombudsman report found "maladministration" by Wychavon for failing to publicise the development but deemed it would not have affected the final decision

November - Edward McMillan-Scott says he is prepared to take the case to the ODPM

February 2005 - Wychavon agree to pay Mr McMillan-Scott £500 compensation but protesters continue to pursue their "legal right" for demolition

April - neighbours say they have become "clinically depressed" and "suicidal" because of the issue