RESIDENTS have objected to a garden which a local man has dedicated 30 years of his life to.

Bryan Farlow has been working hard to change a piece of land behind his house in Carr Bank Avenue, Ramsbottom, into an "idyllic nature heaven."

He has rented the land behind his house from Peel Investments since he moved in to the property in 1982.

Despite work having been ongoing to the land Mr Farlow has now had to submit a planning application for the land for change of use of land to residential garden with erection of decking/steps and pond structures.

Mr Farlow explained: "Over the past 34 years, the land at the bottom of my garden has gradually eroded and much soil has now fallen into the lodge.

"This process has been mainly caused by the rise and fall of the water level, due to the weird at the far end of the lodge being partially blocked with falling leaves."

He explained that he had protected the land with a timber sleeper perimeter to retain the soil and then landscaped the area.

He said: "I have done what I have done to conserve the area. Over the years I have worked hard to turn it into an idyllic nature haven.

"I have dedicated most of my life to nature and that’s why I wanted to turn this into somewhere that would attract many birds and wildlife."

However, despite Mr Farlow's love for the land there have been a number of neighbours who have objected to the application.

Peter Fillery, wrote: "I'm absolutely opposed to this application and am surprised it's even been accepted when the work has already been carried out without consultation. Living opposite I have seen a direct effect on the wildlife and unfortunately it's all been detrimental - this really shouldn't be allowed as it's not beneficial to the site in question and is not in keeping with the existing site.”

While Andrea Huckle added: "This structure is a complete eyesore and not in keeping with the Conservation Area and the local surroundings. In my opinion it is a blot on the landscape, being painted in gaudy bright colours.

"The structure projects into the lodge and would appear to have disturbed the natural habitat of local wildlife."

Neighbour consultation on the application ends next week and a site visit is expected before a council officer makes a decision.