RESIDENTS opposing plans to build a 75ft bell tower near their homes claim their concerns are being ignored.

A letter on a further consultation period has been sent to residents who live near Christopher Whitehead Language College, where the proposed bells will be part of the school’s performing arts centre.

The letter states that the bells will be only rung audibly 12 days a year for a maximum of one hour on each day, and that the viewing platform will use opaque glass to avoid there being a view into nearby homes.

Residents said they feel their concerns have still not been addressed.

A resident of Alexander Road, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “Life will never be the same again. It will be hideous.

“They have a viewing platform but at the same time say it will be obscured, so why have it in the first place?

“They say they will only play the bells a maximum of one hour, 12 days a year but a 12-bell peal lasts four hours.

“No one from planning, no one from the cathedral, no one from the school, has made any contact with us.

“No one is prepared to speak with us. No one has reassured us that there is the need for a bell tower.”

Recently, city council planners agreed to visit the proposed site and look at the view from residents’ properties.

Residents have created a to scale image of what they believe the new tower will look like from their properties (pictured).

After city leaders recently showed support for the project, Michael Harris, of Homefield Road, said: “City leaders show scant concern for the ordinary folk who make Worcester the splendid city that it is. It is fine for these leaders to make airy fairy statements about a bell tower that is not about be constructed in their own immediate neighbourhood. Yes, the tower is being paid for by a wealthy benefactor, but consider the cost, not just to the sanity of nearby residents, but the ongoing costs of daily operation, maintenance and repair.”

Agent Mark Martin, director of One Creative Environments Ltd, said:“I would like to reassure residents that we have listened to all of the comments that have been received and that the views of local people continue to be of the utmost importance to us. “This purpose built educational building has been designed with full consideration of the local area and to minimise any sound escaping.The bells themselves would be physically muffled during teachingand heard by those bell ringing using technology and headphones.

“A commitment has also been made that the bells would only be allowed to ring audibly for celebratory events, at restricted times, for 12 days a year for up to an hour on each of these occasions.

“The viewing platform is designed to provide long-range views over Worcester and the opaque screening glass that is planned, once the tower is in place, would prevent local overlooking. A meeting would be arranged for any concerned neighbours to meet the building designer, view themselves from the platform and assist in the suggested positioning for this opaque glass screen.”