Dust and noise nightmare

Published: 19 August, 2010

• I AND other residents of a Camden sheltered housing block in Hampstead Road, NW1, are in complete amazement at the way we are being treated by the council. 

Facing us is a huge development being undertaken by British Land. 

The noise and dust pollution is unbelievable. Our flats are getting covered in dust which, when added to the already high pollution from heavy traffic in Hampstead Road, is now seriously harming our health. 

I and a number of other tenants suffer from chronic chest complaints and I can hardly breathe. 

Along with this, the noise levels are very high and last from 8am until at least 6pm and we have noise even on Saturdays – mainly morning.

The brick and dust mountains are now very high on the development itself. The diggers are in. They plan to build a huge 26-storey block on the Drummond Street side of the development as well as a nine-storey block in Hampstead Road facing our sheltered block. Already our flats are beginning to crack up. 

It’s a disgrace.

We are not the only block suffering; others, such as Bucklebury on Regent’s Park estate, have tenants and leaseholders complaining. Camden Council say there is nothing they can do about this and environmental health state there is little they can do against a big organisation like British Land. 

Why did Camden Council allow this to go ahead, knowing how great an impact this noise and dust would have on local people – especially the elderly in my sheltered block only a few yards away. 

At the council elections candidates promised to listen to people, but nobody seems to be listening. Are we only wanted for our vote? Do I have to be choked to death before any action is taken?
David Fennelly
Hampstead Road, NW1