Residents say they are living in a 'nightmare' after a new housing development on their doorstep has started construction. Those living behind the development where 120 new homes are being built are furious, claiming cracks are appearing in their homes.
Neighbours of the new building works at Gedling in Nottinghamshire are also angry over dust and vibrations they say is caused by the works. Following the approval of plans in October 2021, the development has started on former greenbelt land off the A612 Colwick Loop Road.
Concerns had previously been raised about the prospect of flooding and because human slurry had been disposed of in the area in the past. The project is being developed by Miller Homes.
Groundwork started on the site, off Burton Road and at the back of Linden Grove, in March, reports NottinghamshireLive. But residents living on Linden Grove are furious at the impact they say it is having on them and their homes.
Simon Wood, 57, lives in Carlton, spending a few nights every week at his 89-year-old mother's bungalow on Linden Grove to help look after her. He says the situation can be unbearable at times.
"It's a nightmare. There has been pile ramming on the site and houses all up and down the road have been suffering from vibrations.
"I take my mother out for lunch to get away from it, and she goes to my sister's further up the road for peace and quiet. She's not been able to watch television in her own home for months.
"We've all been locked away because of Covid, and now there's this. In mornings at around 7.30am, you literally get shaken out of bed by the work starting.
"There's no fencing up in the back garden, and you can see the development. Dust has been covering this house and I've been having to hose it down but the muck still hasn't all gone, you could barely breathe when it was drier earlier this month.
"I've recently filled in a crack that appeared on the outside of the bungalow caused by the work, and windows have been shaking; others up and down the street have been saying the same thing. I work in the industry and, if I wasn't here, and my mum was on her own, this house would be falling to pieces."
A number of other residents on Linden Grove, who did not want to be named, showed Nottinghamshire Live photos of cracks they said had appeared in their homes because of the development work, and vibrations caused by the work was experienced first-hand. These residents shared similar concerns about dust, noise and vibrations, and some claimed that work had been going on outside planned hours, such as on Good Friday earlier this month.
Retired Sue Nowak, who is living in one of the bungalows on Linden Grove, said: "What can you do about it? It's not just the noise but it's causing my wardrobes to bang and my microwave to buzz. You can't stop it. But I just hope they get on with it and get it done."
Tara Hall, 50, who lives in Burton Joyce and was picking her daughter up from school, said: "I don't live on this road, but it must be awful living with that at the back of you. The roadworks in and around this area are bad, too."
A spokesperson for Miller Homes said: "The works being completed on site are in line with the associated planning approval and construction management plan. Miller Homes has met various adjoining residents since works commenced on site and we continue to communicate with them to address any associated concerns.
"The relevant construction management plan defines the requirements around working hours, noise, vibration and remediation required to deal with dust and works are being completed in line with these associated standards and parameters."
A spokesperson for Gedling Borough Council said: "The council has received complaints about noise, dust, vibration and working outside of the permitted hours, and these matters are currently being investigated. Any alleged damage to property should be raised directly with the developer."
