RESIDENTS in Grade II listed properties on a street in Fishguard have been left furious by the placing of an “enormous” electricity substation behind their homes.

Western Power Distribution winched a replacement substation on land behind Hamilton Street this weekend but residents say there was no warning of the increase in size.

With the new cover on the substation, itself smaller than what it replaced, the overall size is more than a third larger.

One resident, Nicki Stone, said: “We can now see this huge substation from every window in our house and it blocking the light in our downstairs rooms and outside. We and our neighbours are absolutely beside ourselves...it has to have had an impact on the value of our house.”

In the run up to the placing of the substation residents also endured two weeks of preparation works involving drilling which drove one from her home with her newborn baby.

“Even with the pneumatic drill going and the house shaking, no one came to say ‘we are about to do this’. We knew a new substation was coming but we had no idea it was that big or that scale.

“The green is reflecting into our house, it’s practically in our back garden,” added Mrs Stone.

Western Power Distribution sent a surveyor to speak to residents on Monday and have said a smaller structure, by 400mm, will be put in place but it could take more than six weeks to arrive.

The company will also change the placement of the vents, currently pointing straight into gardens, and will discuss the choice of colour for the structure.

Damage to a path providing access to gardens will also be reviewed.

Mrs Stone added: “The have said they realise they have made a mistake. I’m normally so laid back, it’s almost tipped me and my neighbour over the edge. It’s not replacing like for like, it’s huge.”

A spokesman for Western Power Distribution said: “We are aware of concerns raised by Mr and Mrs Stone of Hamilton Street, Fishguard, regarding the visual appearance of a replacement substation which has been placed behind their home, and our Estates Specialist is currently on site to discuss the matter with them. We apologise if this has caused concern, and we are working hard to try and resolve matters amicably.

“The replacement substation is of standard design, enclosing equipment to protect it from adverse weather. It is often used in coastal locations where salt air can cause corrosion. It has replaced existing equipment at the site which was over 60 years old and which had recently developed a number of faults affecting the reliability of power supplies serving 200 customers.”