AN agricultural building being built on a field at the foot of Holcombe Hill is destroying the openness of the “iconic” spot, neighbours have claimed.

In July 2020, permission was granted for an agricultural storage building, the retention of field shelter, pig arc and replacement gate and gate post for land at Little Holcombe Close.

The application, which is within the Holcombe Conservation Area, was the subject of numerous objections by neighbours but was given the go ahead by Bury Council last year.

In support of their successful plans, applicants Mr and Mrs Unsworth outlined what they believed were the benefits of their proposal.

They said: “Within the Holcombe Conservation Area appraisal, there is an acknowledgement that agriculture is the main economic activity in the local area.

“We are of the opinion that there will be no impact on the conservation area due to its use being agricultural and with the use of cut and fill, the proposals visual impact will be minimised.”

Work on the 40ft barn is now ongoing and neighbours claim that the visual impact, close to Peel Tower at the foot of Holcombe Hill is clear.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “It shows disregard for the conservation area landscape preservation .

“This is actually a key iconic area of Bury and now the Holcombe Hill bedrock is being excavated.

“We believe the barn will dominate the landscape right under Peel Tower and in full view of the main throughway from the car park on Lumb Carr Road to the whole rural network leading up to the precious monument.

“It has now been ravished by the permission granted for the large barn, and surrounding concrete apron, to support a motley set of incongruous buildings.”

The Bury Times has received a letter signed by 26 Holcombe village residents detailing their concerns about the development.

It states: “The field is at the foot of Holcombe Hill, with prominent views of Peel Tower.

“Approval has been given to cut away a huge wedge of earth in the field against the wall on the Moorbottom Road.

“The excavation will be permanent and into bedrock.

“Structures will be placed in this excavation including a large new agricultural storage building.

“A large mound of earth will then be placed in the middle of the field in an attempt to hide the development.

“A recent heritage assessment concluded that the planning proposal will cause ‘harm to the setting of the Peel Monument and to the character and appearance of the conservation area and should not be permitted’.

“Given all of the above how on earth has this application been approved by Bury planning?”