We’re living a newbuild nightmare – we can’t get any sleep and haven’t opened our windows for a YEAR
RESIDENTS living near a newbuild development have revealed how it has made their lives a nightmare as they have been left unable to sleep or open windows for over a year.
Neighbours of the major building project in Rotherhithe, South London, claim that noise from the building site has left them tossing and turning at night since it began in May 2021.
They complain of excessive noise, dust and dirt on their cars and rubble from the site falling into their gardens – and it is set to continue for ten years
Local homeowner Michelle, not her real name, told MyLondon: “The noise was like a bomb was going off this morning.
“I’ve not opened my windows since the building started. I had to miss two meetings the other day because of the noise.
“I’ve had the rubble that has been in my garden and there was rubble with a metal piece on it. If a child had picked that up and put it in their mouth, that’s so dangerous.
“We’ve had red stuff on the cars and it was £35 last time to clean. It has happened two times and to the guy’s car next door too.”
She also alleged that the workmen building the new block had “harrassed” her by shouting and screaming as she walked by in response to the complaints.
Michelle added that the builders are “intimidating” and have left her nervous about leaving the house.
Fellow resident, Andre Clarke, said: “Since they put up the sheeting around it the noise hasn’t bothered me but it still stops my children from sleeping.
“The building work is everyday from about nine in the morning until five or six in the afternoon.
“We went to the council before but they didn’t get back to us.
“The main problem is the dust and everything that comes off it.”
British Land, developers of the project known as the Canada Water Master Plan, hosts regular consultations with locals and say they take their complaints “very seriously”.
However, Michelle and her neighbour Alan Murphy say they have stopped attending after being accused of bad behaviour by staff for voicing their concerns.
Michelle added: “They drive you to that point. They say we are angry and we’re not angry. We are frustrated. It takes two weeks for them to answer an email.”
A British Land spokesperson said: “It is our aim to ensure that all residents and businesses in the area are not unduly affected by our work and we strive to adhere to construction industry best practice at all times.
“This includes making sure that the Considerate Constructors Scheme is complied with by all of the contractors we work with and implementing a range of stringent measures to track the potential impact of any works activities.
“Part of this work includes the gathering of information on a real-time basis to ensure ongoing compliance with the planning and environmental requirements of Southwark Council. To date, we have been compliant with all of the council’s requirements.
“However, as a considerate and community-conscious developer, it is important that we work to go above and beyond these standards wherever possible.”
What are your rights
If building work creates excessive noise you can complain to your local council.
Even if the project has had planning permission granted, the council must look into any complaint about any noise that could be considered a statutory nuisance under the 1990 Environment Act.
If it is determined to be a nuisance, councils can issue enforcement notices to limit noise or even withdraw permission for the project.
Contact Citizens Advice for more advice on residents’ rights.