Giant dust clouds causing concern near Redcar and Cleveland housing development
Residents near a new housing development in Redcar and Cleveland are raising concerns about giant clouds of red dust
Residents near a new housing development in Redcar and Cleveland are raising concerns about giant clouds of red dust.
A public meeting heard how over the past few weeks excavation work at the site, near Marske, which is the location of 812 new homes being built on behalf of Miller Homes and Taylor Wimpey, had caused houses and cars to be covered in red coloured silt.
Residents living in Sherwood Drive and Delamere Drive said they had been unable to hang washing out or sit in their gardens, while some suffering from existing respiratory problems were staying indoors as a result.
Video taken by local Andy Farrier shows dust from the site billowing up into the air as diggers get to work on the construction of a new spine road.
Marske ward councillor Dr Tristan Learoyd said the dust clouds being created were “enormous” and could be seen a mile away.
In an e-mail to a representative of one of the firms, Cllr Learoyd also referenced noise concerns, claiming contractors were still on site at 7.30pm one recent evening, outside permitted working hours.
He called on the developers to “act on these nuisances as soon as possible”.
Cllr Learoyd also described how developers were “smashing their way through” an area containing potential evidence of a former Roman settlement, a claim that has been denied.
A spokeswoman for the developers told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We understand the concerns from residents regarding dust and noise from our site and we are continuing to engage with the community to ensure all concerns are addressed.
“We have increased efforts to dampen down dust and will continue to ensure that work is only done within the permitted working hours.
“All work on site is being carried out in line with the approved planning permission and the development’s construction environment management plan.
“Work is only undertaken in areas after they have been investigated and signed off by independent archaeological advisors.”
The firms said dust suppression measures were being continually monitored, meanwhile contractors had been reminded not to work beyond agreed hours which were 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.
The housing plans have sparked a number of protests, outline planning permission having been originally refused by Redcar and Cleveland Council.
However that decision was later overturned in a ruling by a Government planning inspector following an appeal with a stormy regulatory committee meeting in March 2023 later agreeing so-called reserved matters, in essence the detail of the development.
There have been calls to halt construction of the new homes, developers confirming a number of archaeological finds previously including Romano-British pottery, animal bones and flint tools.
However a formal application for a scheduling of the site, which is hemmed in by Longbeck Road, the A1085 and A174, by the Secretary of State was rejected earlier this year.
There has also been criticism of the installation of unauthorised fencing and the cutting down of hedgerows, which was said to have disturbed wildlife.