ANGRY residents are still waiting for compensation almost a year after a council error robbed them of the view from the rear of their homes. The ten families of Avondale Road, Darwen, have accused Blackburn Borough Council of "dragging their feet" despite promises of speedy settlements.

As the Citizen exclusively revealed last year, Weltonhurst Limited were mistakenly given the go-ahead to nearly double the height of their factory. Householders are now overshadowed by a 8.5 metre high metal clad "Berlin wall" just six metres from their kitchen windows.

Action group spokesman Kevin Hutchinson fumed: "We feel totally let down by the council. They took away our views and quality of life and now they seem to want to forget about what was embarrassing mistake."

However, the council deny they are dragging their feet. A spokesman said: "The matter is in the hands of our insurers and we are actively pursuing it with them in order to settle the issue as soon as possible."

The residents are incensed that after agreeing to accept the decision of the district valuer on suitable "ex-gratia" payments they still have not received the pay-offs which total £35,000. "We were taking a gamble accepting this solution as we had no idea what the payment would be. Some people have spent money on the strength of these promises.

"We put our full trust in the council and were assured dozens of times it would be a matter of weeks because money had been set aside," explained Mr Hutchinson.

But since then they have been told the case has been put into the hands of council insurers which could take more months for a settlement.

Ward councillor Sue Reid has backed the residents' call for immediate action. She has written to the council solicitor asking why they have not been paid when the development services department has already set aside the money.

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