Our homes are being overshadowed by 65ft-high ‘monster’ supermarket – we were never told… it’s making our lives hell

RESIDENTS have been left fuming after a “monster” 65ft-high supermarket was built, towering over their homes and gardens.

Homeowners in Nechells, Birmingham, are furious to wake up each day to the sight of the enormous metal frame of the Chinese supermarket warehouse, which continues to grow even larger.

SWNSNechells in Birmingham on May 15 2025 where a large warehouse unit is being erected[/caption] SWNSLocal resident Raja Kanwal Mushtaq standing near the giant structure[/caption] SWNSMargaret Miah and John Mohammed in their garden[/caption]

They described life as a living hell as the “eyesore” structure expanded towards its final 87m (285ft) length and 35m (114ft) wide size.

Locals claim they were never consulted about the cold storage unit at Wing Yip – the UK’s biggest Chinese supermarket chain – and are enraged at the “monster” size of the warehouse, which overlooks their homes.

They say their lives have been made hell by the ongoing building work and fear that once finished, it will block out sunlight and devalue their properties.

Dad-of-three Imran Shaban, 40, said: “I used to enjoy looking out at the blue skies on a sunny day – now all I can see is that big thing, and it will block out more light once it’s finished.

“There’s only my garden and then a railway line separating us from it, looking out my window, it just looms over the house.

“They can be drilling early in the morning, the noise can be bad, I’m concerned about pollution too.

“You usually get them in industrial areas, not right next to people’s homes. I think it will devalue homes as nobody wants to look out at that.

SWNSThe large warehouse is being erected near the Wing Yip Chinese supermarket[/caption] SWNSLocals said they were not consulted before the construction began[/caption] SWNSImran Shaban in his garden pointing at the structure[/caption]

“I can’t understand how they allowed it to happen but I guess the broke council have made some good money from it.”

Another local resident Arfan Shaban added: “It really stands out – its disproportionate in size to anything else in the area.

“There was no consultation with residents and I think there should have been. There was nothing about planning permission or whether we’d be happy with the height of it.

“We were just told its happening and that was that.

“I work from home so the noise of the building work has impacted me, it just really sticks out and looks out of place.

“We’re worried about parking and traffic – we already have people parking around here when Aston Villa play.

“It will also block out our sunlight. It’s a real eyesore.”

Meanwhile, Margaret Miah, 77, who has lived in her home for more than 40 years, said: “We had a letter last year saying building work will be going on.

“At first it was just the groundwork but now we sit and watch it growing every day.

“I think it would have been fair to have some sort of consultation or a meeting so they could discuss their plans with us.

“It’s so huge. It alters the area. If that’s going to be windows at the top, we’re worried about our privacy too.”

SWNSAnother local Afran Shaban in his garden[/caption] SWNSResidents have spoken of their anger at living next to a ‘giant fridge’[/caption]

A planning application said the 65m (20ft) tall building will create 2,838sqm of storage and office space near the existing supermarket.

The plan was approved by Birmingham City Council planning officer Carl Brace in December 2022.

One of his reports stated that the construction “will not cause any overlooking or loss of amenity”.

It added: “Concerns have been raised by local residents that the proposed building will be seen from neighbours’ gardens and houses and will be an eyesore.

“Overall the assessment identified that there would be changes to local views arising from the proposed development, but these would largely be limited.

“The concerns of the neighbours are noted, however, as detailed above, the new building will be 45m from their houses, and although they will be able to see the building, it will not cause any overlooking or loss of amenity.

“The positive economic benefits arising from the scheme are considered to be significant and will include direct economic betterment.

“On the basis of the scale and nature of the development, I attach significant weight to these benefits.”

Birmingham City Council have been contacted for comment.

A Wing Yip spokesperson said: “Wing Yip conducted a two-week pre-application public consultation on the plans for the new cold storage building in March 2022.

“The consultation was supported by both a project website and leaflets delivered to around 100 neighbouring properties.

“The planning application was then submitted in April 2022 before Birmingham City Council commenced its own statutory consultation on the plans in May 2022.

“As a direct result of this public engagement process, the proposed height of the new building was reduced by 20%, while other resident concerns regarding noise and highway access were also addressed.

“Members of the public were able to respond to the plans all the way up to their determination by Birmingham City Council’s planning committee in December 2022, when the plans were approved.

“Construction of the building is now underway according to the designs approved by the city council.”