Milton Keynes residents complain of construction noise 'hell'

Residents Taran Narula and Tony Lynn said the noise was disruptive

People who live opposite a housing estate where 430 homes are being built said vibrations caused by construction traffic had made their life "hell".

The Wavendon Green development, in Milton Keynes, has led to "intolerable" conditions for some residents, a city councillor said.

Resident Taran Narula, who works at home, said the noise often made it impossible for him to concentrate.

Developer Bloor Homes said it was working within regulations.

Mr Narula said he moved to the area with his wife two years ago hoping for a "relaxed life" but instead described it as "hell."

'Agitated and stressed'

On a bad day, Mr Narula said the vibration from earth-moving machinery meant he could not focus on his job.

"Your chairs are rattling, your doors are rattling, your house is rattling," he said. "You feel like you cannot even type on your laptop, but I have to work from home every day."

He said he had reported the incidents to Bloor Homes "multiple times".

His wife, who does not want to be identified because of her job, said she struggled with daily prayers because of the noise.

"It should be a quiet, calm time, but instead I get more agitated and stressed out because the shower tray next door rattles like anything," she said.

"Every morning we have a wake-up call because of the diggers. That's our alarm."

'Hardest part'

Mr Narula said they had considered moving but found the value of their home had fallen and a potential buyer had been put off by the noise.

His neighbour, Tony Lynn, said his move to the area, also two years ago, had been a "lifelong dream".

But he said the vibrations were the "hardest part".

Milton Keynes Conservative councillor David Hopkins wants a pause in development in the area.

He said: "We've heard evidence gathered on a busy day and we know it's absolutely intolerable, several hours every day, bang, crash, bang crash."

'Full dossier'

He is due to put a motion to Labour-Lib Dem run Milton Keynes Council later to highlight issues caused by dust in Wavendon.

"We do need to build homes, of course, but this area has been developing for the last seven or eight years," he said.

He said he has a "dossier full of concerns from parents, especially about the dust".

A spokesman for Bloor Homes said: "Since the summer, we have been in contact with the few residents who have raised concerns and will, of course, be continuing our dialogue with them."

It said "construction of this project is carried out in strict accordance with details approved" as part of the planning permission "ratified" by the city council.

"As we are working within the remit of the agreed controls, we have not received any notice from Milton Keynes Council or the Health and Safety Executive that we are exceeding any of the required limits, and we continue to monitor all levels as the development progresses," the developer added.

The council has been asked to comment.