The women have a view of Launceston Castle

The women say the planned four-storey block at the back of their flats in Launceston, Cornwall, jeopardises their privacy and views of the town's castle.

North Cornwall District Council said the application for new flats and shops had yet be considered.

The developer and architect refused to comment on the plans.

The private developer wants to turn the land at the back of their homes into a mixed use development, comprising five shops and 10 flats in the four-storey building.

Ruth Hicks, Monica Wright and Mary Rowe all own their retirement flats.

Property prices

Monica Wright said the blocking of her view would be most upsetting.

She said: "We shall lose our lovely view of the castle and the castle grounds, which is nice and we want to keep.

Ruth Hicks said the proposed development was just too close to her flat.

She said: "The windows are going to overlook us. In fact, I've been told that I could shake hands with people in the flats over my balcony."

She added that the close proximity was also bound to affect their properties' prices.

Mary Rowe said she was prepared to take direct action to prevent the building works if the plans are approved.

She said: "I'm quite prepared to lie in front of any bulldozers they send and stay there. I shan't get up."

North Cornwall District Council said a planning officer had yet to visit the site and the application would be considered by councillors on the Planning and Development Committee.

It added: "The question of protecting a view is something that has been established by planning case law.

"It is normally accepted that there is no private right to a view that the planning system should protect.