COUNCILLORS have slammed a Colne garage for not keeping a 'gentlemen's agreement' to fence off a neighbour's garden after planning permission was granted more than a year ago.

Residents living next door to the Simpson's Skoda dealership, have been battling with bosses at the Knotts Lane garage.

They want them to fulfil their promise to erect a fence that would safeguard residents' privacy.

Householders say the work has not happened and this has been met with anger by councillors at the Colne Area Committee.

Terry Noon, 66, of Burnley Road, Colne, told the meeting that work carried out to the Simpson's Skoda dealership to the rear of his house had ruined his enjoyment of the area.

He said, despite being visited by the owner and his son last year and being promised a fence of his choice paid for by the garage, it had still not happened.

Mr Noon said his privacy had been jeopardised by customers who could see into his garden.

Councillors backed Mr Noon in his fight for action and expressed their dismay at the garage owner's apparent failure to take action.

Before and after pictures of Mr Noon's garden were shown to councillors, illustrating how the garden had been affected.

Waterside councillor Edwina Sargeant said: "The only way we can make them stick to their agreement is by shaming them into doing so."

Alan Davies, Pendle Council's leader, added: "It's appalling for the people that have to live with the consequences of this."

It was agreed the council would write to the garage requesting a meeting between the neighbours, garage owners and councillors in a bid to resolve the dispute.

Neil Simpson, garage owner, said: "I will not be shamed into putting something up but we will discuss with neighbours to reach a fair and reasonable solution to any problem they may have.

"I am disappointed that residents and councillors have gone about it in this way because I have never been consulted."