A GROUP of residents from Stinchcombe have spoken out against the owner of a neighbouring property for running a business from his home without planning permission.

However, the businessman claims the objections are the result of "sour grapes on behalf of his neighbours".

People bordering the property in Hounds Green have criticised the running of the business as they say it invades their privacy and is endangering their families.

But Paul Bartlett, owner of Great Exportations, said he believes the criticism is the result of a grudge stemming from a failed land dispute.

Hounds Green residents Ian and Susan Begg say they are not happy that the business is being run next to their home.

Mrs Begg said she initially thought the appearance of large vehicles next door were the normal comings and goings of someone moving house.

She said: "We have three children and did not buy this house to live next to a business. Our house is overlooked by the property. We don't mind having houses overlooking our garden because we know who lives there but anyone can come into the business and look over the fence."

Resident Sylvia Woodward said her garden is also overlooked by the company's base, adding: "I have a one-metre strip of my garden that is private to me. The rest of my garden is overlooked by the business."

Those living next to the site claim the deliveries made to it are unsuitable.

Mr Begg stated: "The large vans are a danger to the children. There are a lot of young people around in the summer."

But Mr Bartlett, who exports car parts, said he had done nothing to antagonise his neighbours and the complaints about the extra traffic were unjustified.

He said: "The rugby club opposite us has an influx of up to 70 vehicles, including vans, every Saturday and Sunday. Our twice-daily van movements are very modest especially as they do not pass the Begg family house.

"All I have done is to come here and exercise my right to run a business. My neighbours were aware that I was going to run a business before we bought the house. Had anyone expressed their dissatisfaction, we wouldn't have moved here."

However, Mrs Begg insists this was not the case.

She said: "We knew that he owned a business but we didn't know that he was going to bring it to the house otherwise we would have objected then."

Mr Bartlett believes the complaints stem principally from a failed land dispute by Mr and Mrs Begg.

"It is sour grapes," he said. "I think the Beggs have a grudge stemming from their failed attempt to make a land-grab on part of our garden."

Again, though, Mrs Begg refuted the allegation, saying she and her husband had highlighted an error on a set of deeds, meaning they were saying land attributed to them was not theirs - the opposite of a land-grab.

Stroud District Council principal planning officer (north) John Longmuir confirmed two planning applications had been submitted by Mr Bartlett early last month and to date no comments had been received.

Mr Longmuir said: "There is an application for the change of use from residential to part-residential and part-business use and retrospective application for a conservatory and garden shed."

Hounds Green resident Colin Blackton added that those objecting to the proposal feel sidelined by the council.

He stated: "The council sits somewhere else and we feel that it has blatantly ignored us."

But Mr Longmuir said that the fact the council is based in Stroud had no impact on planning decisions.

He said: "An enforcement officer has visited the site. We consider every application very carefully regardless of the number of people bordering the site."