by SWLNestate – By Adam Dutton Angry residents say living next door to a new-build housing development is making their lives miserable as they are hit by constant ‘dust storms and earthquakes’. Homeowners are scoffing at the disruption caused by the 165-home estate being built on their doorstep in Glen Parva, Leics. They say the constant noise 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 are damaging their properties and compared the drilling to ‘being in an earthquake’. Locals say they are also worried about what they could be breathing in as the now toxic soil interferes with the ongoing works. Grandmother-of-four Helen Ross, 70, a retired psychotherapist and counsellor, said: “We’re not NIMBY members, I want to stress that but that was really positive. “The first issue that came up was pile driving. It’s this horrible accident that goes on and on. “Because the ground is unstable, and because it’s a landfill, they have to drive pile stabilization. “It affects people who work from home, people who are retired or people who have autistic children. The other big issue is the dust. “We went away for ten days in August, and when we came back the whole house was covered in red dust. The cars were covered. “The big question people are asking is what’s in that dust. I emailed Blaby District Council three times but got no reply. “I wanted to know if the dust had been tested for particles and chemicals since it was disturbed. “These piles are driving 20-foot clouds of dust and they’re huge. People are coming out with funny skin complaints, people with chest complaints because of the dust. “Autistic children are being killed by the noise and there is one child who has to get oxygen at night. “This is a small residential area, there is only one way in and out. The trucks also cover everything in mud. “There are quite a lot. Some people are saying that cracks are developing. At one time the vibrations were like an earthquake. They have small grandchildren and they came in with red socks. “It was terrible, you could see the dust to see and taste it. m no exaggeration when I say it’s completely ruined our summer. They took down a load of trees and so any screening from this is gone. “We know that Asbestos in that land. We want to know if it’s been tested.” Grandfather-of-two Richard Woodley, 70, a businessman, said: “They’re driving piles until the end of the year and it’s already been going on for 12 months. “The dust is terrible. When it’s dry it’s it’s terrible, when it’s wet it’s muddy. The lorries get the dust everywhere. I can’t clean the car on Friday night morning it’s a mess. It’s affecting people around here. It’s not going to stop. We’ve had a public meeting on 100 people were present. Vistry is not interacting with the locals. “The little road I’m on is about 30 feet away from the site this first. Methane is coming out of the ground. “I can’t imagine anyone would want to buy a house there. It’s on unstable ground. Now it’s a dirty site. “It used to be a big park that everyone enjoyed. Now there’s going to be 165 houses and they’re trying to make another 26 houses. “It’s going to be terrible to get in and out of this area.” Said Lisa Ellis, 55: “It’s a constant intrusive noise that you can’t ignore I’m further down the road, I get almost two hits, so I get the pile hit and echo, so it’s a very intrusive echo noise.” Another local, James Hill, 34, said: “You get the huge clouds of dirt this – like a dust storm. I can’t be healthy for sure.” Blaby District Councilor Ande Savage, who lives nearby, posted on Facebook: “Who in their right mind builds houses on a landfill site, and who is going to buy them in really? “Now, we are left with the result of this crazy decision. to give planning permission. “Constant noise from the piling work that is going on, because it is a landfill, lorries arriving every hour, dust and dirt in everywhere. It’s unbearable!” A Vistry spokesman said: “Vistry Group East Midlands has started work on a new development of 165 much-needed family homes at Glen Parva in Leicestershire. works including piling. “The improvement that is currently being made is necessary and in accordance with the agreed planning permission to ensure that a clean and stable platform will be available on which the new houses will be built. “We take the local community’s concerns seriously and are keen to build positive relationships throughout the project and would encourage anyone affected by the work to contact our customer services team. update them on progress. “We are taking all the necessary precautions during the early earthworks and are continuously monitoring noise and vibration on site to ensure there is no risk to nearby properties. “We have also been regularly operating road sweepers and jet wash lorries before they leave the site. A spokesman for Blaby District Council said: “Vistry Developers have recently started work on a new housing scheme on Cork Lane in Glen Parva. “Preliminary works, including foundation piling, are causing concern for local residents who have raised complaints with Blaby District Council. “He also organized a meeting between Vistry and the local ward and county councillors. “During this Vistrí it was agreed to look at an action plan for a series of additional mitigation measures and to provide more information on dust sampling and pile work as well as to liaise more closely with councilors and local residents to keep them on the information. “A letter from Vistry has been sent out to people living near the site acknowledging 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 that there is as little disruption as possible.” END
