We’re furious after developers put up a huge 8ft privacy fence that blocks our view – we’re fighting back

LOCALS living in the shadow of an eight-foot privacy fence say it blocks their view - and they're fighting back.

The "ugly" fence has popped up around a massive construction site in Bournemouth, to the disgust of those living nearby.

It's been built to try to protect the residents and their homes from thick layers of dust as heavy machinery works on the site.

But the locals have slammed it - saying it won't protect their homes and it's horrible to look at.

The timber barrier has been put up around a West Parley site that's being turned into 36 new homes - and a new Lidl supermarket.

Locals had previously complained about their homes and cars being covered in brown dust as lorries and excavators work at the site.

Now the developers, Bellway Homes, have built the 400-metre-long fence to try stop the dust.

But Kaye Woodward, who lives nearby, said she had previously raged about the brown dirt settling outside - and inside - her home.

She said while there had been less dust lately, she put that down to the rain dampening the ground on site.

Now Kaye said she and other locals have been fuming about the sight of the fence.

The project manager said: "Some residents are also angry about the view now outside their house, saying this is what we have to look at for the next four years."

She said the fence was completed last week, adding: "The developers are not at the excavating stage at the moment, they’re just putting the foundations in place on the ground, so dust isn’t being churned up.

"Plus, there has been on and off rain.

"However, the fence wouldn't stop the dust, in fact Environmental Health has told me that when it's dry and windy, no amount of fencing would stop the dust."

Another resident raged about the sight of the massive fence.

The person, who was not named, added: "The fence is huge and looks so ugly. It is one long line of timber."

Bellway Homes told The Sun: “As a responsible developer, Bellway appreciates and is sensitive to the fact that dust can be an inconvenience to nearby residents from our Kingmere Park development in West Parley.

"While every effort is made to minimise the presence of dust, it is inevitable that some will be created during dry periods of ongoing works, as we have experienced this summer.

"Following complaints from residents, we have installed the wooden fence as additional dust prevention measure which is more effective than the Heras fence that was previously in position.

"Despite images showing this fence unfinished, plans are already in place to have this painted and lifestyle images added. Work is expected to be completed by the end of next week.”

The Sun has contacted Dorset Council for comment.