A ROW has broken out over the state of an empty bungalow and its grounds.

A group of 17 residents have written to the leader of a town council claiming that the home is now being used for business purposes.

However, the homeowner has denied this is the case and planning inspectors have backed him up.

These two images show the home, in Stanley Road, Malvern, as it was a few years ago and how it looks today.

Residents, who don't want to be named, also wrote to Malvern Hills District Council asking for help over the bungalow.

The letter said: “ Before his ownership [Wesley Small], the site has always been residential and he has, without planning permission, changed its use to wholly that of supporting his business. The bungalow on the site has been left empty and uninhabitable.”

District councillor Paul Bennett who is representing the disgruntled residents, said: “I am extremely concerned about the condition and continued misuse of two Stanley Road.

“Residents have had to put up with a derelict eyesore blighting their neighbourhood for years.”

However, owner, Wesley Small, denied the claims.

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Mr Small said: “I’m not running a commercial business from the bungalow. My vans are there as the bungalow has been broken into in the past so it makes it look like someone lives there. Skips are on the site as I’m taking a wall down.

“I’m a good man and I’ve worked hard to become a millionaire - I’m not a gangster.”

Holly Jones, director of planning and infrastructure at the council, said: “Various departments have been involved with investigating the concerns raised by residents and numerous site visits have taken place.

"Our colleagues at Worcestershire County Council have confirmed the storage of material in a skip on site does not amount to a breach of waste legislation.

"The planning enforcement team investigated a complaint that suggested a commercial use was being carried out from this address.

"However, further site visits and monitoring of the site has made it clear to us this is not a material change of use, so we have appropriately revised our initial view based on a greater understanding of the activities, or lack of, at the site.

"Our housing team will be making contact with the owner to see if any assistance can be offered to bring the property back into use under empty homes legislation.”