FURIOUS residents have hit out about the disturbance caused by a development on the boundaries of Crown Lane Hall.

Neighbours claim they only became aware of plans to build 32 flats on the site of the former Job Centre, on Borron Road, Newton, when contractors began building.

Although St Helens Council says residents were informed about the application by letter, a number are adamant they did not receive any prior warning.

Stella Goodwin, aged 78, has lived in her Crow Lane East home for more than 30 years and said she was not aware of the plans until January.

She said: "It has dwarfed my house. My grandson thinks that the value of my house will go down by £30,000 because of it. I used to sit for hours in my garden in the summer but now I can't do that.

"We don't know what's going on. I'm old and I feel very helpless and now I've got this thing towering over me for my last years."

Louise Mullin, of Charmouth Close, added: "We are already experiencing problematic situations with either mothers taking kids to school and parking on our driveways, or the many vans and contract workers parking on our close from the developments.

"The wagons are using it as free parking, then a turning circle, abusing our footpaths in the process."

In 2005 plans to build 26 apartments on Borron Road were rejected on grounds it was an unnecessary development. In 2006 plans for 22 apartments were approved then, last year, a 32-apartment development was given the go-ahead.

When the Guardian asked why plans for 26 apartments were rejected, only for larger development to be approved in 2007 a spokesman for St Helens Council said: "Since the 2006 plan for 22 apartments was granted, significant information emerged regarding the archeological interest and historic importance of this site.

"The historic environment is a finite and valuable resource, which contributes to the local distinctiveness and character of an area.

"It is important that the historic significance of this site is preserved. Provided that a full archeological survey is undertaken, then the proposal complies with the criterion, whereby residential development enables the conservation of the historic environment."

l To see the full list of questions posed by the Guardian and answers from St Helens Council visit: warringtonguardian.co.uk