Noise intrusion

[Hilts]

A well known supermarket Chain is building some offices opposite my house. When the plans were announced I objected to the planning authorities because I new the quality of life for myself my family and our neighbours would suffer as a result of this massive building project. But the plans were passed. I am a nightshift worker and the lack of sleep caused by the racket from the building site has began to effect my work and my health. The building site is literally 40 feet from my front door. It's not just noise ,the machinery used makes the house vibrate, making sleep nigh on impossible.I am working 12 hour nightshifts and am having to get by on 2 hours sleep. Does anybody know or can advise me what my options are to stop what is becoming quite a torturous scenario??

[Scarlett]

Go to your citizen's advice bureau. They will be able to tell you legally where you stand. If you have no luck there, involve your local MP or councillor.

[cheyenne]

unfortunately the supermarket must have got planning permission,which must have gone through a lot of stages to have got this far.if they worked nights in stead you would get your kip but everybody else wouldnt.any chance of a sympathetic boss changing your shift until the work is complete?

[slimjim]

Hire a noisy machine of some sort and go and use it outside the home of the Chief Executive of the company concerned.

[linseli]

I've got every sympathy Hilts - I work from home and I've got a massive building site next door until December 2005! Contact the environmental protection team of your local council. They authorise the hours that building sites in your area can operate and will monitor the noise and vibration levels on the site. These are strictly set so at least you can make sure they're not exceeding what they're allowed to do. The council also has the power to stop the work but given it's gone through planning this is unlikely unless they're breaking these noise rules. Also as well as Scarlett's good advice maybe it's worth seeing your GP? No sleep long term won't do you any favours at all plus you need it 'on the record' if it's affecting your health. Good luck!

[Hgrove]

I would also like to suggest you contact the Environmental Health Officer. In this day and age, not everyone works 9-5 and sleeps at night, so it should not automatically be ok to make noise in the daytime.