OUTRAGED residents are up in arms after they discovered plans to build a massive two-storey building at the bottom of their gardens.

The campaigners, who live in Churchfields Road, Bromsgrove, have formed an action committee against the proposals to redevelop Breme House, a residential home for elderly folk, which they fear will destroy their privacy.

Other concerns include noise from extra traffic at all hours, over-development in a residential area, and lack of parking.

Action group leaders Simon and Karen Mason-Towers, who have just moved to Churchfields, say lights from Breme House already shine across to their home and if the building went ahead it would be like "Blackpool illuminations."

The couple have written to Bromsgrove District Council, and town Tory MP Julie Kirkbride opposing the moves, and plan to keep their neighbours up to date.

Simon said: "Only a few residents have been given notice of this development and were led to believe it was just alterations to the residential home.

"We went to see the plans and discovered the extra building would run across 90 per cent of the rear of my garden, which will destroy my family's privacy.

"My bathroom, bedrooms, sitting room and kitchen would be open to 24-hour observation.

"If it goes ahead it will be an intolerable intrusion into my family's life."

Karen added: "We paid top dollar for this house and we thought it was a lovely place to live.

"Now all this could be shattered."

The couple and some of their neighbours have arranged to meet with a planning officer today.

A planning spokesman for the council confirmed it had just received the proposals which were being processed.

The plans have been submitted by South Warwickshire Housing Association, part of Heart of England Housing Group.

Finance director Denis Thompson said he wanted residents to look at the plans and not have a knee-jerk reaction.

He added: "Breme House is three storeys and needs to be replaced and we chose to make the most of the grounds.

"The new building will provide more accommodation.

"There are planning boundaries to work to and we are within them.

"We are aware of the issues and have worked to ensure residents are not overlooked."