CASH-strapped Blaenau Gwent council is considering paying a garage owner £100,000 of tax-payer's money to move to new premises after years of complaints from residents, the Argus can reveal.

People living in Glyn Terrace, Tredegar, claim they have put up with years of noise, smoke, dust and congestion caused by Glyn Garage, which repairs commercial vehicles.

The garage was recently served an enforcement order for allegedy breaching planning rules, and an appeal is due to be heard. Peter Waldron, who owns Glyn Garage, refused to comment.

But Blaenau Gwent council, fearing an expensive legal battle, has instead suggested paying the garage owner £100,000 to relocate to the nearby Tafarnaubach industrial estate.

The news has infuriated residents, who say their council tax should not fund the move.

Mervyn Thomas, 68, lives in Southend, overlooking the garage yard.

He said residents have complained about noise pollution for years, and have sent numerous petitions to the council.

A garage has been at the site since the 1920s, but the current operation has been there since the late 1990s.

Mr Thomas said: "It's continual, every day there's banging, shouting, lorries being revved.

"Our lives have been ruined."

Mr Thomas called the plan to pay the garage to move "disgraceful".

But he said: "£100,000 is a lot of money. You would think the council would be a bit more stringent about giving people's money away.".

Neighbour Gwladys (OK)Powell, 75, added: "I will be glad to see them going but I don't expect it to come out of my pocket."

Dennis Owen, 68, lives in front of the garage. He said: "We would like to see it off our back. But I don't think they should have a penny of public money."

Clive Lawrence, 60, lives next door to the garage on Glyn Terrace.

He said: "I just want the place to go - it's ruined my life. I wish I had never moved here."

A Blaenau Gwent spokeswoman said: "The council can confirm that we are in discussions with the owners of Glyn Garage regarding the possible relocation of the business to a more appropriate site.

"We are unable to comment on the terms of any negotiations for reasons of commercial confidentiality."

BLAENAU Gwent council took enforcement action against the garage holding company Jonn Ltd. for using the land for third party commercial vehicle repairs, allegedly against their planning permission. Jonn Ltd. appealed.

A Blaenau Gwent council report leaked to the Argus said the authority could face huge costs from the appeal.

The report acknowledges that residents have complained about the nuisance for ten years.

It concludes the £100,000 is "value for money" because it will improve the well-being of residents of Glyn Terrace and help business expansion in Blaenau Gwent.

£50,000 is coming from the industrial improvement grant budget, money set aside for regeneration.

A further £25,000 is coming from the planning committee contingency fund and the final £25,000 from the corporate contingency fund.

Under the agreement the garage would leave the site and all commercial activity would cease, allowing it to be used for homes.