Heybridge residents face dust misery amid building works

The Standard reported in May on residents’ fears about the dust which is coming from a housing development on land east of Broad Street Green.

Persimmon Homes Essex has confirmed there are measures in place to reduce the dust.
But Debbie Few, 52, who lives in Ash Grove  says it is is damaging her quality of life.

“It’s like being in the Sahara Desert in my garden,” she said.

“Within an hour, the table was covered in dust. The other day I had to bring my washing in on a really hot day, because it was just getting covered in dust.

“One man has bought a dust cover to go over his car. We’re having to wash our cars every other day, it feels like. It’s just ridiculous.”

Dust - Mrs Few said she has to wash her car most days to clean the dust from it (Image: Debbie Few)

Health - Other residents have previously said they have dust coming into their homes (Image: Submitted)

Other residents have previously raised concerns about dust with some living in Scraley Road on the other side of the development experiencing dust.

A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes Essex said: "Following a complaint about dust, Maldon District Council visited the Willows Reach development and confirmed mitigation measures were in place to reduce the volume of dust. 

"No additional mitigation measures were required, and work continues on this development of innovative new homes that are much needed in this area."

Impact - Mrs Few's neighbours have noticed deteriorating plants and introduced measures to prevent dust, such as covering their cars (Image: Debbie Few)

A spokesperson for Maldon District Council said: “The council have an open Planning Enforcement Investigation concerning the various breaches of the conditions attached to the planning consent for the development of the site.

“Whilst we cannot comment on the specific details relating to the investigation, we are working with our environmental health colleagues, visiting the site and communicating with the developer in seeking a resolution to the various issues. 

“We want the affected residents to be assured that we will carry out the necessary actions to ensure a cessation to the breaches.”