BUSINESSMAN Alan Burton claims a row over red tape could bring his firm to its knees.

He wants to build homes on the land his company, Bur-Low Engineering, now occupies, but has been turned down by the council.

It used to share the building in North Street, Radcliffe with another firm. But when that business moved its part of the premises was left empty.

Since then the site has attracted vandals.

Mr Burton, who employs 13 people, said: "We have been forced to maintain premises which are too big for us, the surplus space is not appropriate for our business to expand into.

"It's a real millstone around our neck. We decided to try to dispose of it in another way and wrote to the council to see if we could get outline residential planning permission for the site, which would make it more attractive to potential buyers. We would then be able to move and continue trading from more suitable premises." But the application was refused because it was in conflict with Bury's Unitary Development Plan which seeks to retain existing employment land and premises.

"How can it can be regarded as a source of local employment, unless the opportunity in question is to provide property for vandals to destroy?" asked Mr Burton.

Last month tiles from the roof were used to smash eight glass skylights.

"If the authorities cannot control the situation they should let us move to more suitable premises," said Mr Burton.

"We need to move in order to sustain or increase employment, rather than add to the jobless totals and leave the premises empty for the vandals to complete the work they have started."