SHOCKED householders are warning others to study development plans, saying their homes have been blighted by a "monstrosity" overlooking their gardens.

They had not realised how big or how close a three-storey block of town houses would appear.

The Shires, a George Wimpey development on the former Ronkswood Hospital site, adjoining Tolladine Golf Course, is a mixture of two and three-storey houses.

People living in two-storey homes in Newtown Road feel overshadowed by a three-storey block close to their boundary fences.

"You can't appreciate how we feel until you see what a monstrosity it is. It's like a prison wall, dominating the whole of the back garden," said Brian Peplow.

"We have lived here for more than 30 years and had an open view to the golf links, but now we have this building only nine feet from the fence.

"It has blighted our home and knocked 10 per cent off its value."

Next-door neighbour Becky Love and her husband, Justin, now have 12 windows overlooking their patio.

Further down the garden, the corner of the new three-storey building is very close to their boundary.

"We didn't expect the gardens of the new houses to be so short. There is nowhere we are going to be able to sit without being overlooked," said Mrs Love.

She said they knew there was going to be a development, but did not go to the planning office to look at the plans when they first heard about it.

"At the time the office in Farrier Street was not open on Saturdays and it would have meant taking time off work," said Mrs Love.

"We want to make people aware that they should take the time and effort to go and check any building plans that might affect them."

A spokesman for Wimpey said they had bought the land with planning consent already in place.

"Issues like the height of the buildings would have been discussed during the planning process. We have had no formal complaints," he said.