'It's like living next to a cruise ship, I feel sick when I think about it'

Residents living in the shadow of two colossal warehouses have compared the experience to having a "cruise ship" land in their back gardens. The towering steel structures, part of a 350,000 sqft industrial site, loom over fences and hedges, completely dwarfing homes just metres away from the development.

The locals ofTyldesley, Wigan, have voiced their shock at the sheer size of the buildings, with some contemplating moving house. Developer PLP's plans reveal that the enormous site will eventually house four vast warehouses, with the council consenting to a maximum height of 18.3m (60ft) for two of these structures.

Delivery behemoth Whistl has already snapped up one of the huge sheds, signing a 15-year contract on a 140,000 sq ft unit. A council chief insisted that landscaping would help lessen the visual impact, adding that the project adhered to the correct planning process.

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However, residents say that the final approved plans were significantly larger than the original designs. They expressed concerns about the impact on property values, arguing there was limited consultation before construction commenced.

John Peters, 71, a retired teacher who has resided on the estate since 1978, said: "It's a total shock when you walk out of the door", reports the Manchester Evening News. He added: "The enormity of the thing just strikes you. It shouldn't be there."

He revealed his dreams of a tranquil retirement were "shattered" by the sudden appearance of the structure near his home. A campaign group has been established to unite neighbours and oppose the development, with a recent meeting drawing a crowd of over 200 people.

Mr Peters criticised the way residents were informed about the project, leaving many feeling caught off guard.

He said: "A letter was sent out to 90 residents, but I don't know how they selected those residents because some of the people who back onto the site didn't get anything. It was just completely random. I'm worried it's going to take all our sunlight'.

Paula Boardman, 47, who lives with her husband and two children in a house that backs onto the towering warehouse, expressed her concerns. She said: "It's quite upsetting, because we used to have such a lovely view. We knew this was going to be built, but we thought it was going to be a lot smaller.

"As soon as the framework went up, everyone realised the height of it - it's humungous. I'm worried it's going to take all our sunlight.

"It's like a cruise ship at the back of our garden. Even if we wanted to move, I think the value of the house has gone down."

She voiced worries about damage in her home that she fears could be linked to the warehouse's size and proximity of construction work. She said: "I noticed a dip in the flooring back in February and a big crack in the wall. Every time I think about it, I feel sick."

Steve Retford, 69, said he no longer sits in the garden because of the structure that stands just 30m away - describing the impact as "profound".

The retired police officer said: "It's just dreadful. We feel this sense of injustice. I don't profess to be a planning expert, but when you look at the sheer enormity of this, it's not right. It must have taken tens of thousands of pounds off the value of our houses. Every time I think about it, I feel sick."

Care worker Danielle Edwards, 38, fears the warehouse could make it difficult to sell her home in the future.

She said: "It's awful. We bought this house because we're a young family wanting to stay in the area. It would be very difficult to move. I can see it from my back garden. We thought they were going to be low-rise industrial units, but they're not."

Retired project manager Eric Earnshaw, 79, has lived in the Tyldesley area all his life but is now preparing to leave for the Lake District. The keen dog walker said it's because he's had enough of constant building work.

He added: "There are walks that take me along fields in the area where there are plans for thousands of homes. All the green space around here is disappearing."

Aidan Thatcher, director for place at Wigan Council, said: "This planning application went through our planning consultation and committee process.

"The final plans include landscaping which will help to screen and soften the appearance, and mitigate the impact on nearby properties.

"We will continue to monitor the site throughout construction, ensuring this development bringing new jobs and investment to the area is delivered properly."

A spokesperson for PLP declined to comment.