construction site nightmare

[deanosmrs]

Hi all, at the moment we have a college developement goin on across the road from us, probly about 60 meters away.At present theyre "piling" kind of drilling down into the ground, the problem is its making one hell of a racket, so much so, that my husband who works nights, cant sleep ! also we have cracks appearing through the amount of vibration.We called the council who in turn told us to call a guy from the company in charge of the work, hes been round to monitor the vibration on our kitchen floor, but told us the reading was well within recommended limits.He also told us he would "work with us" by getting the piling done in the morning, needless to say this hasnt happened, spoke to him this morning again, basically although apologetic, again stated the vibrations where well within the safety limit and hed get most of the work done before the afternoon-it finished at 5 oclock! Just wondering if anybody had any suggestions as to who to complain to, and if indeed we can complain about it. Thanks for reading

[askyourgran]

I can only think of the Environmental health Department, maybe they can suggest something to you, or even monitor their work practice.

[Eve]

Are they affiliated to any schemes like these....

http://www.ccscheme.org.uk/

Also could be conditions on planning for lack of disruption although chances are they may include times during the day when your husband is trying to sleep. Might be worth speaking to planning though.

You might also be able to find further details of the planning on the local authority website's planning section, some have a search facility based on location.

Make sure you keep records and photos (preferably date stamped) to show cracks and any increase in them over time. Keep a log of names of anyone you speak to on any company's behalf as well.

[ELVIS68]

I`d worry more about the cracks appearing than your hubbys lack of sleep.

[bednobs]

clearly they have permission to develop Have a look at what their planning regs are (local council website) and if they are working outside of them, you complain to the council. However, i think it's quite unlikely that planning will restrict them to piling in the mornings only. I think as the previous answer says, the piling will only be for a short time and you'll just have to put up with it. After all they cant continue unless they do the piling.

[AlBags]

Monitor and take pictures of cracks around your property during the work. Mark cracks with marker pen.
The company will be olbliged to correct them after work completed.

[Cathyhuns]

Contact your local Environmental Health Department and ask what type of consent they are working to. If they have a Section 61 consent, get a copy and check that they are following it. This will define whan and what time of noise / vibration theyc an make. If not complain to the council about the statutory nuisance but you have to have complained to the developer first.

Also, keep records of the cracks (photos etc) and then make a formal complaint to the developer.

[Nosha123]

I'm afraid I dont think there is much you can do - they wont be breaking any laws I'm sure... and they have to do the piling or else they cannot build.. there isnt any way around it for them.

Any damage to your property will all have to be put right by them for sure - though it sounds like it will be pretty cosmetic.. hairline cracks as opposed to structural.

its important to keep the communication open between all parties as once it is no longer amicable - its very costly and very painful to agree anything!

Make notes of everything in the meantime!

[deanosmrs]

Thank you all for you answers, very helpful, just to say to ELVIS-my husband drives a HGV lorry all night so slighty more worried about him losing sleep more than the cracks !!

[jno]

deanomrs, he'll lose more than sleep if the house cracks apart and collapses. If you're buried in the rubble, who'll cook his porridge? Do monitor the cracks.