'˜Misery and muck' as works continue

Homeowners at Marina Court Avenue are “extremely sick and tired” of what they see as RDC’s lack of concern about dust and damage to their properties from the Next Wave development.

They say they have suffered the full effects of sandstone dust blown up by earth removal and building work and that “little or no consideration” has been given to the potential damage to their properties both inside and out.

Roger Dann wrote on behalf of the group to RDC chief executive Derek Stevens asking for specialist cleaning on a regular 10-day cycle until the dust problem has been eliminated after completion of the development.

He had been told by the contractor, Neilcott, as well as RDC that work would be finished by mid-August, but said although assurances were made everything was being done to minimalise the dust problem, it still existed and residents were demanding immediate action from the council.

He told Mr Stevens: “Your vague assurance of a clearing up the mess once the development is finished is derisory and entirely inappropriate.”

Stephen Yeomans contacted the Observer directly and said: “Both of my neighbours are in their 90s and, like the rest of the residents living at Marina Court Avenue, we feel powerless over what’s happening. Its very distressing.”

He claimed the “corrosive gritty dust” from Next Wave work was damaging paintwork around windows and doors, but also seeping inside and affecting furniture and soft furnishings.

According to Mr Yeomans each resident has so far paid at least £200 for professional cleaning.

He also said that so far only one house on the parade has been cleaned by Neilcott.

He hoped to publicise residents’ distress with the result of shaming into RDC taking responsibility and said: “Hollow promises of work coming to an end isn’t stopping the muck and debris covering our homes, gardens and cars.

“One would hope that the council and the contractors, both of whom have seen the situation and have acknowledged it’s a ‘problem’ would do the decent thing, and clean up their mess.”

Neighbour Mary Mackay described the invasion of sand as “desperate” and said she was continually having to clean up both inside and out while this problem had driven another neighbour to tears.

Mary Shepherd, who lives even closer to the worksite, said she was finding sand coming through windows which were permanently closed.

Rother District Council chief executive Derek Stevens said: “We do sympathise with residents who have been affected by dust.

“Unfortunately this problem has been greatly exacerbated by one of the driest springs and early summers on record and high winds, meaning there was little our contractor could do to totally prevent it despite taking all practical steps - including regular ‘wetting down’, which did help ease the problem.

“The dust should cease to be a major problem once turf is laid within the next few days. Officers have spoken to residents about their concerns and we are happy to arrange for the exterior of affected properties in Marina Court Avenue to be cleaned once building work is complete.

“A letter is being sent to householders explaining the situation and asking them to provide details so we can get on with the clean up as a gesture of goodwill once work is complete.”