RESIDENTS of a Worcester cul-de-sac are enduring a "nightmare" caused by inconsiderate builders working overtime, swearing and urinating in the street, councillors have heard.

Members of Worcester City Council's planning committee launched a stinging attack on building firm Court Property Developers after hearing of the misery suffered by Wolsey Close residents.

The company is developing land next to the Farmer's Boy pub in Tolladine Road, which backs on to Wolsey Close.

The firm's request for an extension to its permitted working hours was rejected by councillors after they heard builders had regularly flouted restrictions preventing them starting before 8.30am, working later than 1pm on Saturdays or at all on Sundays.

"Living at the end of Wolsey Close is an absolute nightmare," resident Dorothy Kyle said. "There's no consideration for the neighbours. The workmen start far too early, they work late on Saturdays and they're back on a Sunday morning.

"Builders urinate against vans - this is illegal as well as a public health issue.

Huge mounds of soil are left lying against my hedge, the air's full of dust and my neighbours are fed up of picking rubbish out of their gardens.

"One Saturday the workmen were all swearing so loudly I had to tell my daughter not to bring my young granddaughter round until they had gone."

Mark Philpotts, representing Court Property, said the Callow End firm had initially been unaware of the 8.30am working restriction, but claimed it had adhered to the rule once council officers had raised the matter.

He blamed the other problems on sub-contractors his firm were employing to carry out part of the job.

"A lot of this has come as a shock to me," Mr Philpotts said.

"We have been very clear about our practices with the sub-contractors.

"We do have our own site manager but he works on two different sites, so he's not always there."

But members of the planning committee attacked the firm's practices.

"The management has been inadequate," said chairman Barry Mackenzie-Williams.

"It seems you need to get your house in order."

Councillor Paul Denham said the problems had been caused by "a lack of consideration for local residents," while Pat Agar said there was "an atmosphere of rule-breaking which concerns me greatly".

Members threw out the building firm's request to extend its hours, with independent councillor Mike Layland asking: "If they can't abide by the simple rules we put down in the first place, how on earth can we rely on them to abide by this?"