A MOUND of mud has stirred up a furore in Little Horkesley as it is obscuring neighbours’ views.

The mud along the A134 was spotted by a resident, who said it had been left by Motts, a car body repair centre.

It has been left as part of a development which Lawrence Motts, who owns the company, is working on.

The development will see an agricultural building be turned into a car bodywork workshop.

Mr Motts said: “We have had planning permission since last year to build a new workshop and car park.

“We had to dig into the hillside at the soil is being piled there at the moment.

“Everything has been pre-arranged and the pile is being dealt with, the council has been out and it’s all in hand. It is due to be moved.”

Neither Dedham Parish Council, Little Horkesley Parish Council or Nayland Parish Council were aware of the mound, although they all said dumping in the countryside was an issue.

A Colchester Council spokesperson said: “Colchester Council’s planning department is aware of the heap of spoil at Motts, and a planning officer and an environmental protection officer visited the site on Wednesday.

“The heap is in connection with the construction work for a new building Mr Motts has planning permission for.

“We are currently in discussion with Mr Motts over how long the heap will be there and he has been advised to have it removed off-site as soon as possible.”