Noisy Building work

[Marie]

Hi there, my garden is approx 30ft long and directly behind this they are building a new housing estate (works started 2 weeks ago, for 15 months) The noise is deafening from the concrete breakers and is from 8-5 every day, save lunchtime, I cannot hear the tv, radio and certainly cannot relax in the garden, not to mention the builders looking in from these machines. This morning, as the machine started up at 8am on the dot, my bed was physically shaking and I have noticed a crack in the hallway wall that I'm sure was not there before. Can I get some kind of compensation for all this? If so, who do I go to? The builders or environmental people? Many thanks for your opinions!

[jackthehat]

If you have concerns that your building fabric is being seriously affected by the building works, you'll need to write to the head office of the construction company.
Depending upon the response you get from them, you may have to engage the services of an independent Building Surveyor who will inspect your property and make a note of the condition of it 'now'; including existing cracks, etc.
You can then use this report should there be any further problems arising.
I'm afraid that the 8-5 are considered to be normal working hours and there will be little that can be done to alleviate this 'nuisance'.

[bednobs]

it's unlikely you can get compensation for noise - it's noisy to build houses and the concrete breaking will only be for a very short time of the actual build (what concrete are they breaking out?)perhaps it's piling?) Anyway, did you make any objection when they applied for PP? Are they working within the terms of their planning permission? the times/days that have been set?
As regards to the crack appearing in your house, that is more worrying, but are you completely sure it wasn't there before? Are your neighbours experiencing anything similar?
If you have concerns and worries, i would start with the local authorities

[bednobs]

actually - listen to JtH more than me, as she does this sort of thing for a living

[Marie]

Thanks for the help, I will speak to the building company. The neighbours do agree and my next door neighbour is a night worker, i feel sorry for him. I do realise the groundworks will not be ongoing, and i did go to the meeting with other concerns but had no idea the noise would be so invasive. As for the crack, I could not say for sure, will ask hubby tonight what he thinks. Thanks again