HUNDREDS of residents have lobbied the district council over the use of a barn for storing animal bedding.

Two petitions containing 187 signatures and 54 letters have been sent to Wychavon District Council objecting to an application from Betta Bedding Ltd to be allowed to continue to use the barn in Station Road, Bretforton.

The first retrospective temporary planning permission was granted to the Offenham-based company in 2000 and approved for a further 18 months in September 2002.

Now, the latest application is being recommended for refusal at today's planning committee meeting and councillors are being asked to take enforcement action requiring the use of the building to cease within 60 days.

Bretforton Parish Council has also objected claiming conditions have continually been violated, there is a litter problem, restrictions on lorry movements have continually disregarded and fires have been left unattended. Other objectors claim glass and bottles have also been stored there and continued use of the premises was causing unacceptable levels of noise and disturbance for residents.

In a letter to go to the committee, Betta Bedding say: "It is acknowledged that the use of the site is currently more intense than was initially anticipated but this is a temporary measure and has only occurred while Severn Waste Services are constructing new facilities. Betta Bedding's use of the building as a paper store does not cause any environmental problems.

It adds: "Betta Bedding would like to consolidate operations on its main site on Offenham Road but the lack of a suitable building for the storage of paper has prevented this. Betta Bedding would not be looking to renew the temporary permission at Station Road if a suitable storage building could be erected at the main Offenham Road site." Nick Spencer, managing director of Betta Bedding, said he did not wish to make any comment in advance of the meeting in view of the intricacies of the situation.