A GIANT climbing tower designed to develop team-building skills is causing controversy in a Herefordshire village after one irate resident described it as 'monstrosity', writes JONATHAN LAND.

The new structure at the Taste for Adventure Centre, Credenhill, run by ex-SAS solider and conqueror of Everest Brummie Stokes, was built thanks to £100,000 of National Lottery funding and has been lauded for its innovative design.

But local resident Ray Weston has slammed the tower calling it 'an eyesore' and 'a total waste of money'.

"My house looks on to the Taste for Adventure Centre and I watched on in horror as this thing just got bigger and bigger and bigger," he explained.

"It's now so tall that it completely obliterates the view from my back garden."

Taste for Adventure's Lynn Stokes, however, hit back saying the tower was not an eyesore.

"This is a fantastic thing that can be used by the whole community and we would invite anyone with any doubts to come and try it out," she said.

Delegated powers

The tower, which comprises a series of wooden poles joined by ropes, tyres and trapezes, is specially-designed to encourage strong communication, leadership and planning skills.

But Mr Weston argues that there was a distinct lack of planning and communication when it came to consulting with the local community over the tower.

"We never had a say at any time whether this structure should be allowed to go up and no chance to voice our objections," he said. "We simply had no idea of the impact this thing would cause and it's quite obvious to many of us that it's simply out of proportion to the rest of the village."

Lynn Stokes, however, explained that Taste for Adventure had done everything 'by the book' and made sure all the necessary planning arrangements were made.

A spokesman for Herefordshire Council confirmed the situation. He said: "Planning permission was given for the general development of leisure facilities at the centre.

"We didn't have details of all the equipment, but there was a condition in place that any proposal would have to be agreed in writing.

"This was done and granted under delegated powers. In such a situation no formal consultation is carried out."