A BANNER was put up at a building site telling a complaining resident to “shut up.”

Collin Rossini, of Main Road, Dovercourt, had previously complained about the site, next door to his home. accusing workers of breaking health and safety rules.

He said their noise had driven him out of his home on several occasions and heavy machinery had cracked the walls of his house.

Glenn Smith, of developer G and K Groundworks, said Mr Rossini’s complaints were unfounded, claiming no other neighbours had come complained.

Mr Rossini then discovered a large banner had been mounted on fencing surrounding the site, bearing the words “shut up Rossini.”

He has reported the incident to police.

Mr Rossini said: “I have been in town a long time and if someone is upset with me about an issue then let’s talk about it.

“I have never had something like this happen before, obviously there is no proof as to who has done it but it is a bit of a coincidence it happened right after the complaints.

“We all have different values and different views, but let’s have a civilised discussion.

“It is a cowardly act.”

Mr Smith denied the company had involvement in putting up the banner.

He said: “The site manager took the banner down.

“Whoever put it up, it must have been overnight or early this morning.

“No matter what Mr Rossini might think we are not stupid nor vindictive, we have better things to do with our time.

“We condemn the actions of irresponsible people, we would rather not engage with Mr Rossini.

“Perhaps the local shop or residents might have a camera CCTV which might reveal all.”

G and K Groundworks is working on the construction of two blocks of 12 flats on land which formerly housed a health centre.

The plans were approved in 2014.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police are investigating after a report of harassment in Harwich.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact us on 101.