Making noises about Persimmon building site concerns

Oliver Kotis, of Goshawk Green, Leighton Buzzard has raised concerns with the housebuilder and Central Bedfordshire Council about the working hours, noise pollution and the safety around the site.

He said: “I have had a look at the council’s website in regards to noise pollution, it is of the understanding that during weekdays construction sites conducting ‘noisy work’ should only be undertaken between the hours of 8am and 6pm and 8am and 1pm on a Saturday.

“It seems that the building company are conducting work from 7am. This is totally unacceptable and does not comply with the council’s noise pollution policy.”

Mr Kotis is also unhappy that the residents were not made aware of the building work starting, he believes residents who would be affected by the works should have been informed before the work began.

He said: “We were not told that work would be starting on the site, or when it would start until we saw the diggers there.

“This is very inconsiderate towards local residents and raises the question if Persimmon Homes as a company even take local residents and businesses into consideration when conducting such work.”

Concerns were also raised about the safety of residents and in particular children as the site was not fenced off until two weeks after the work began.

The 27-year-old told the LBO: “When we bought our property we were informed that the road would be a no through road, but now we are unsure if this is still the case.

“The access road to the construction site is Goshawk Green, it is narrow and as a result large delivery lorries have been using the pedestrian walkways to drive their vehicles down the road and into the construction site, damaging the kerbs multiple times.

“Lastly I am very concerned about the structure of my property, on some occasions when work is being carried out on the site it is causing such vibrations that it affects the house.

“I have spoken with our neighbours and they have stated that the vibrations are having an affect on their house. This is something that should be monitored by the building company throughout their work.

“We are being ignored by the council and the company, we just want answers.”

He has tried contacting Persimmon Homes and he emailed customer services at Central Bedfordshire Council, he has not yet received a response from either.

A spokesperson for the council said: “We have no record of Mr Kotis contacting the council, but the head of our pollution team has offered to speak with him directly over his concerns about the issues to do with working hours, noise and vibration.”

A Persimmon Homes Midlands spokesman confirmed that all contractors are aware of the correct operating practices at the site.

The spokesman said: “Any member of the public with concerns is welcome to raise them directly with the company at its Northampton headquarters.”

The pollution team at Central Bedfordshire council has contacted Mr Kotis and someone will be visiting the site today to talk with the site manager.