Cheltenham residents have had to endure weeks of dust spreading onto their homes and gardens from a nearby building site.
An abatement notice has been issued on the builders at The Folley site in Swindon Village after complaints from residents.
A large amount of dust has spread to nearby homes and gardens from the former playing field, where 122 homes are being built, during recent earth-moving work carried out in hot and dry weather.
The site’s construction management plan requires the developer to control dust and protect neighbours.
Councillor Richard Lawler (LD, Swindon Village), worked with residents to collect photos and videos showing dust leaving the site and shared the evidence with Cheltenham Borough Council’s environmental health team.
Officers have visited the site several times and asked the contractor to improve dust control. But residents continued to report problems despite extra water spraying equipment being brought in.
After further inspections, officers decided the voluntary measures were not enough and the council issued an abatement notice July 14, which requires the developer to stop any work that creates visible dust unless effective dust control measures are in place. Failure to comply could result in further enforcement action.
“Residents should never have had to put up with weeks of dust,” Cllr Lawler said.
“I thank residents for providing evidence and environmental health officers for trying to resolve the issue through site visits and discussions before taking enforcement action.”
Councillor Jamie Jamieson (LD, Lansdown), who is the cabinet member for safety and communities at the borough council, confirmed the environmental protection team has investigated dust emissions from several building sites, including The Folley on Swindon Road.
“Groundworks have produced a lot of dust, and our officers recommended control measures such as mobile water sprays and misters, which have been implemented by the site operators,” he said.
“Challenges were posed due to warm and dry weather; a notice was issued on July 14 to EG Carter & Co Ltd to ensure adequate dust control is maintained.
“Follow-up visits confirmed that practices have improved, significantly reducing the amount of dust generated. Officers will continue to monitor and provide advice as needed.”
A spokesperson for E G Carter & Co Ltd, who are undertaking the works for Aster Homes, said they have experienced an exceptionally prolonged period of hot dry weather during the early stages of the development at The Folley.
They say they have implemented and continually enhanced a comprehensive range of dust suppression measures recognising the increased potential for dust generation.
“These include extensive damping down, water bowsers, road sweeping, misting equipment, revised construction methods and operational controls to minimise the spread of dust beyond the site,” a company spokesperson said.
“These measures not only comply with, but exceed, the requirements set out within our construction management plan, which was approved by the local planning authority before works commenced.
“Throughout this period, we have worked closely and positively with Cheltenham Borough Council’s environmental health team, responding promptly to their feedback and implementing any additional recommendations.
“The recently issued abatement notice does not require work on site to cease.” They say the notice confirms the dust control measures that are already in place.
“While we recognise that construction projects can inevitably cause some temporary disruption, we remain committed to keeping this to an absolute minimum,” they added.
“We have maintained open and positive relationships with our neighbours throughout the project, including Gardners Lane Primary School, which has been particularly affected during these early phases of work.
“We will continue to engage proactively with local residents, the school and the Council as the development progresses.
“The Folley represents a significant investment in Cheltenham, delivering 122 much-needed affordable homes together with new public green spaces, a community park and children’s play facilities that will benefit both existing and future residents.
“As a local employer, we are also proud to support the Gloucestershire economy by employing local people directly and through our supply chain, while creating apprenticeships, trainee positions and work experience opportunities.
“Any suggestion that E G Carter & Co Ltd has acted negligently, breached regulations or shown disregard for the local community is strongly refuted.
“We have consistently acted responsibly, complied with our approved construction management plan, and worked collaboratively with the Environmental Health team to ensure appropriate mitigation measures are implemented.”
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