Vibration fears over housing development

Nov 15 2012 by Patricia Lewis, Galloway News

A social landlord is offering house condition surveys in the wake of a furore over vibration and noise from a building site.

Private home owners living alongside the old creamery at Kirkcudbright are scared about the possible effect on foundations after being hit by what one described as a “mini earthquake”.

Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership is building 36 new affordable homes on the site.

And they have sent out letters offering to meet worried neighbours to discuss the possibility of carrying out condition surveys on their homes.

People living in Merse Park appear to have borne the brunt of the problems.

Linda Carter said: “On Sunday morning, the fourth of November, it was so bad I thought we were having a mini earthquake.

“We are worried what this is doing to the foundations of the houses if everything is shaking this much. It’s not so much the noise but the vibrations.

“One of the neighbours said he was woken one morning because the cups were shaking.”

The 61-year-old retired teacher added: “We are very happy for them to be building these houses. We understand it has to be done but we were not told about how much noise there would be.”

Mrs Carter and her husband Peter, 63, a retired decorator, have also complained to DGHP about the length of time the noise lasts.

They claim that some days demolition work starts at 8am and continues until 8pm.

Taxi driver Jim Clarke, who also lives on the street, said: “The worst I had was on Thursday morning. The walls were knocking. It sounded like someone was knocking against them.

“I don’t mind the noise as long as it remains tolerable. It depends how long it goes on for.”

Councillor Colin Wyper has taken the issue up with DGHP.

He said: “They got back very quickly about the noise. I was told this contractor should not be working outside 8 am to 6pm. They said they would report back to us on this. They have said that they will speak to people who live in the street and carry out noise surveys.

“I can’t fault DGHP, they have acted quickly to the complaints.”

But the Carters are still not happy with the outcome. Peter said on Tuesday: “I was woken up this morning at 7.40am. The whole house was shaking. They have stopped the hammering now but that has been replaced with bulldozers.

“They (DGHP) sent a letter on Friday, after we complained, offering these surveys. We should have had this letter three weeks ago. I’m not happy.”

A spokesman for DGHP said: “Although we are aware of the concerns of the residents, letters were sent out offering appointments for condition surveys.

“The condition surveys will take place next week, covering 28 houses in the surrounding area that are considered on the line of the site.

“We’ve had a positive response to the letters being sent out to residents with a number of homes already booked in for the surveys.

“However, we would stress to any residents who are concerned to contact us directly on 0800 011 3447.”