RETIRED residents at an estate in Dorking have described a newly built factory as an "eyesore" and a "blot on the landscape".
The pensioners, living on the Hanover Court estate, off Milton Court Lane, say a new factory being built for Johnston Sweepers in Curtis Road has spoilt their view of the surrounding countryside and failed to blend in with the natural landscape.
Hazel Durham has lived on the estate for four years.Looking out across a field of new-born lambs on the nearby farmland, Mrs Durham recalled the appeal of the surrounding countryside.
"It's spoilt our beautiful view which is very selfish really," she said.
"Before it was built, all I could see were trees and fields behind. There wasn't anything there.
Calling the new factory "a blot on the landscape", Mrs Durham said its bright white colour building clashes with the natural landscape.
She added: "It's not what you expect to see around here.
"To me it looks like cruise-liner without any funnels, or a very large tour-bus.
While the building's western side has been toned down using a brown cladding, the side viewed by residents is still brilliant white.
Mrs Durham said: "If it was a colour that blended in with the natural surroundings, like a subtle shade of green, it would perhaps be acceptable.
Another resident who has also lived on the estate for four years, but who asked not to be named, said: "One of the attractions of the estate was the rural aspect.
Other retired people on the estate, which provides assisted living facilities, said the factory was "too big and too prominent" for its rural setting and could affect property prices.
One said: "I'm disgusted that they've been allowed to put something like that up there. It's an eyesore.
However, Nigel Brunning, financial controller of Johnston Sweepers, said the building had been constructed in accordance with the planning agreement which was a matter of public record.
"The building's design was given planning approval at a planning committee meeting on September 13, 2011," he said.
"This design proposed white cladding on offices. Samples of proposed materials were supplied for the development committee. Finally the committee approved the design, except for the roof colour which they asked to be changed to 'moorland green'.
"He added that the planning process had been "interactive" and subject of the building's colour had never been raised.
Mr Brunning said the factory would be "up and running" by late summer or early autumn, when it will accommodate 400 employees.
The pensioners, living on the Hanover Court estate, off Milton Court Lane, say a new factory being built for Johnston Sweepers in Curtis Road has spoilt their view of the surrounding countryside and failed to blend in with the natural landscape.
Hazel Durham has lived on the estate for four years.Looking out across a field of new-born lambs on the nearby farmland, Mrs Durham recalled the appeal of the surrounding countryside.
"It's spoilt our beautiful view which is very selfish really," she said.
"Before it was built, all I could see were trees and fields behind. There wasn't anything there.
Calling the new factory "a blot on the landscape", Mrs Durham said its bright white colour building clashes with the natural landscape.
She added: "It's not what you expect to see around here.
"To me it looks like cruise-liner without any funnels, or a very large tour-bus.
While the building's western side has been toned down using a brown cladding, the side viewed by residents is still brilliant white.
Mrs Durham said: "If it was a colour that blended in with the natural surroundings, like a subtle shade of green, it would perhaps be acceptable.
Another resident who has also lived on the estate for four years, but who asked not to be named, said: "One of the attractions of the estate was the rural aspect.
Other retired people on the estate, which provides assisted living facilities, said the factory was "too big and too prominent" for its rural setting and could affect property prices.
One said: "I'm disgusted that they've been allowed to put something like that up there. It's an eyesore.
However, Nigel Brunning, financial controller of Johnston Sweepers, said the building had been constructed in accordance with the planning agreement which was a matter of public record.
"The building's design was given planning approval at a planning committee meeting on September 13, 2011," he said.
"This design proposed white cladding on offices. Samples of proposed materials were supplied for the development committee. Finally the committee approved the design, except for the roof colour which they asked to be changed to 'moorland green'.
"He added that the planning process had been "interactive" and subject of the building's colour had never been raised.
Mr Brunning said the factory would be "up and running" by late summer or early autumn, when it will accommodate 400 employees.
