Residents of Easton, particularly James Harrison, have expressed significant concerns about a nearby housing development that commenced construction in January. The site, being developed by Persimmon Homes, will ultimately comprise 85 new homes, part of a much larger estate slated to contain a total of 890 houses.
Mr Harrison, 51, has lived on Bawburgh Road for 17 years and reports that the development has significantly impacted his quality of life. He claims that the dust and grit produced by the construction work have left his luxury vehicles—among them a Porsche Taycan, a BMW M4, and a Porsche 911 GT3 RS—coated in grime. "It's been an issue ever since work started in January," Mr Harrison stated, articulating his distress over how the situation is affecting both his property and personal well-being.
Describing the toll this has taken on him, Mr Harrison said, "I'm now in a dire situation where my house and cars are getting trashed by the dust and grit from Persimmon Homes and they're not willing to do anything about it." His concerns extend beyond mere aesthetics; he specifically noted the adverse effects on his health as an asthmatic, mentioning difficulties in breathing because of the dust generated by construction activities. “I struggle to get my breath with so much dust being kicked up,” he explained.
In his account, Mr Harrison conveyed a sense of frustration over the situation, stating, "They are literally ruining my life and everything I have worked for the last 35 years to achieve." He expressed an understanding that construction can lead to some mess but is dissatisfied with the degree to which he feels affected: “I have no problem with houses being built, and I understand you can’t do things without some mess being created, but I don’t see why everyone nearby has to pay for it." He also mentioned the impact on his home and outdoor furniture, indicating that dust covers various surfaces including solar panels on the roof.
In response, a spokesperson for Persimmon Homes refuted Mr Harrison’s claims, asserting that he has not provided evidence to support his allegations of damage or health issues. The spokesperson stated, "As a responsible developer, we have dust suppression measures in place on our site but did offer a goodwill gesture to have Mr Harrison’s cars cleaned." Furthermore, they noted, "It is factually incorrect to say his home or cars are being covered in hazardous material."
Persimmon Homes expressed their commitment to good neighbourliness and stated that should Mr Harrison bring forth proof of his claims, they would take responsibility for any damage that is determined to be their fault. As construction on this 85-home site continues, which is part of the wider development project in Easton, discussions around its impact on existing residents remain a point of contention.
Source: Noah Wire Services