Residents next to building site unhappy about dust

Residents say they are cleaning their homes multiple times a day due to dust blowing in from a nearby construction site.

Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) said building 122 affordable homes on a former playing field in Cheltenham, which had been vacant for years, would "benefit the public significantly".

But Kayleigh Paterson, whose house backs onto the site, said dust had become a challenge during the hot and dry weather. "The minute we open those patio doors, our dining room and kitchen are covered," she added.

E G Carter & Co Ltd, which is undertaking the work for Aster Homes, said it was ensuring "suitable and compliant measures are in place to manage the dust".

Annette Wright, who lives opposite the Swindon Road site, said she had to wipe her window ledges "15 times a day" due to the dust.

She described the situation as "horrendous" and said it was "driving her mad".

Due to conditions worsening because of the dry ground during the heatwave, CBC said it issued a notice on 14 July requiring the developer to stop any work that created visible dust unless effective control measures were in place.

CBC cabinet member for safety and communities Jamie Jamieson said bowsers - which spray water onto dry ground - had been used on the site and conditions had improved significantly.

He said the notice was being adhered to and no contraventions had been observed.

"Given the sandy soil, the only effective method for dust control in the current weather is spraying large amounts of treated water," he added.

Jamieson said a council officer was continuing to monitor the site and suitable measures were in place to manage the dirt, with no visible dust being blown off the site on the officer's last two visits.

But Tom Owens, who lives opposite the site, said nothing had changed since the abatement notice and described his car as "absolutely filthy".

"I'm trying to wash it weekly. The dust is just getting everywhere… it's coming into the house.

"I've got bad lungs and it's not helping at all," he added.

A spokesperson for E G Carter & Co Ltd said construction work had "coincided with an exceptionally prolonged period of dry weather" and "compliant measures are in place to manage the dust."

They added they were working with Environmental Health to make sure they remained compliant.

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