A CANALSIDE site being used as a breakers' yard is being investigated by officials after complaints from residents.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has written to land owners after concerns were raised about the growing amount of scrap metal, including old cars, being left next to the Trent and Mersey Canal in Middleport.

Planning officers are now looking into exactly what planning permission has been secured for the site at the end of Newport Lane.

It comes after nearby homeowners grew concerned that more and more scrap metal was appearing, ruining the appearance of the area.

Retired nursery worker Rosemary Wright, who lives nearby, said she had no objections when the site was originally being used as a garage.

But the 72-year-old, who is secretary of Middleport, Longport and Dalehall Community Association, said: "The scrap at the back of the premises is going further and further down towards the canal.

"People are working to make the canal basin nice again and open it up and these cars aren't helping. They look absolutely dreadful.

"I would like to see it all cleared up and back how it was before."

Fellow association member Ted Owen, who lives in Burslem, said: "People on narrowboats are coming in to Stoke-on-Trent from Kidsgrove and this is the first thing they see.

"What we are saying to the council is that we are concerned that this is there.

"I am not one to knock anyone for making a living, but people are living here."

The residents' association approached the council about the matter and planning officials have now begun to investigate.

The officers have written to the owner of the land after carrying out a land registry search.

It showed Birmingham-based Festival Waters Limited, a subsidiary of developer St Modwen, which has land across the city, was the registered owner.

Councillor Brian Ward, council cabinet member for housing, planning and transportation, said: "Planning enforcement officers are investigating a complaint that a car breaker company has been operating without the relevant consent on Newport Lane, Middleport.

"The land appears to have consent to be used for industrial and commercial uses. Our investigations are ongoing."

A Festival Waters Limited spokesman said: "The occupier on the Newport Lane site has a short-term tenancy agreement and it is the responsibility of the tenant to obtain all necessary consents in relation to the operation of its business."