We live by newbuild estate – earthquakes and dust storms make our lives hell

Angry residents say living next door to a newbuild housing development is making their lives a misery as they are plagued by constant ‘dust storms and earthquakes’.

Homeowners are fuming at the disruption being caused by the 165 house estate being constructed on their doorsteps in Glen Parva, Leicestershire. They say constant noise coming from piling works is making life hell and they can even taste the dust and dirt coming over from the site.

Others said the vibrations have been causing damage to their properties and compared the drilling to like ‘being in an earthquake’. Locals say they are also concerned about what they might be breathing in with the once toxic ground being disrupted by the ongoing works.

Gran-of-four Helen Ross, 70, a retired psychotherapist and councillor, said: “We are not NIMBY’s, I want to stress that but this had been absolute hell.

“The pile driving was the first issue that came up. That involves this horrible crashing that goes on and on. Because the land is unstable, and the reason it is because it was landfill, they’re having to pile drive to stabilise.

“It disturbs people working from home, people who are retired or people with autistic children. It goes on all day – it’s horrible.

“My property is only three metres from the site. The other big issue is the dust.

“We went away for ten days in August, and when we got back the whole house was covered in red dust. The cars were covered.

“The big question people are asking is what is in that dust. I have emailed Blaby District Council three times but I’ve had no response.

“I wanted to know if the dust had been tested for particulates and chemicals since it had been disturbed.

“These piles are driving in 20ft dust clouds they’re huge. There are people coming out in funny skin complaints, people with chest complaints because of the dust.

“There are autistic children being sent bonkers by the noise and one child who has to have oxygen at night.

“This is a small residential area, there’s only one way in and out. The lorries cover everything in mud too.

“There’s plenty of damage in the road. Some people are saying they’ve got cracks developing. At one point the vibrations were like an earthquake.

“During the dry weather we’ve not been able to use the garden because of the dust. One of my friends has small grandchildren and they came in with red socks.

“It was horrible, you could see and taste the dust. Sometimes you could see the dust coming up, in clouds.

“Someone told me it was going to be four years. I’m not exaggerating when I say it has absolutely ruined our summer.

“We want compensation. They took down a load of trees so any screening from this is gone. We know that asbestos is in that ground. We want to know if it’s been tested.”

Granddad-of-two Richard Woodley, 70, a businessman added: “They’re pile driving until the end of the year and its already been going on 12 months.

“The dust is awful. When it’s dry it’s awful, when it’s wet it’s mud. The lorries bring the mud with them off the site.

“The dust gets everywhere. The wife can’t put the washing out. I clean the car on Friday night and by the morning it’s dirty.

“It’s causing difficulties to breathing, it’s affecting people around here. It’s difficult and it’s not going to stop.

“We’re not getting anything from Vistry. We had a public meeting where 100 people attended. Vistry are remarkable in their distance. They’re not interacting with the locals.

“The little bit of road I’m on there’s a dead-end and I’m about 30ft away from the site.

“This field was originally a quarry tip. There’s methane coming out of the ground. I can’t imagine anyone would want to buy a house on there. It’s on unstable ground. Now it’s a dirty site.

“It was a big field that everyone used to enjoy. Now it’s going to be 165 houses and they’re asking to do another 26. It’s going to be pretty awful getting in and out of this area.”

Lisa Ellis, 55, added: “It’s an intrusive, constant, pounding noise which you can’t ignore.

“Where I’m situated which is further down the road, I almost get two beats, so I get the beat of the piling and an echo, so it’s a very intrusive, echoing, pounding noise.”

Another local James Hill, 34, said: “You get these huge clouds of dirt coming over – like a dust storm. I cannot be healthy surely.”

Blaby District Councillor Ande Savage, who lives nearby, posted on Facebook: “Who in their right mind builds houses on a landfill site, and who is actually going to buy them?

“Now, we’re left with the aftermath of this crazy decision to grant planning permission.

“Constant noise from the ongoing piling work, because it’s a landfill, lorries arriving at all hours, dust and dirt everywhere. It’s unbearable!”

A Vistry spokesperson said: “Vistry Group East Midlands has started work to deliver a new development of 165 much-needed family homes at Glen Parva in Leicestershire.

“As with most large-scale construction projects, the initial phase of the development involves advanced remediation works including piling.

“The remediation currently being done is necessary and in accordance with the agreed planning permission to ensure a clean and stable platform is available on which the new homes will be built.

“We take seriously the concerns of the local community and are keen to foster positive relationships throughout the project and would encourage anyone impacted by the work to contact our customer service team.

“Our site manager will continue to keep in touch with our site neighbours to update them on progress.

“We are taking all necessary precautions during the early groundworks and are carrying out continuous noise and vibration monitoring on site to ensure there is no risk to neighbouring properties.

“We have also been operating regular road sweepers and jet washing lorry wheels before they exit site.

“We are making good progress on this development, which will soon become a sustainable community providing new family housing including affordable homes in the heart of Leicestershire.”

A Blaby District Council spokesperson said: “Developers Vistry recently began work on a new housing scheme on Cork Lane in Glen Parva.

“Initial works, including foundation piling, have caused some concern to local residents who have raised complaints with Blaby District Council.

“The council is taking these complaints seriously and is monitoring the works taking place on site to ensure all actions are within specified national guidelines.

“It also arranged a meeting between Vistry and the local ward and county councillors.

“During this Vistry agreed to look at an action plan for a series of extra mitigation measures and provide further information on dust sampling and piling work as well as liaising more closely with local councillors and residents to keep them informed.

“A letter from Vistry has gone out to people living close to the site recognising the disruption and thanking them for their patience.

“Blaby District Council will continue to work with Vistry and monitor the development, acting on the concerns of local residents to try and ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.”