RESIDENTS currently living above a working mine in Pickwick have warned that future buyers of homes on the proposed Redrow development will be disturbed by the noise of drilling during expansion works. Lovell Stone Group, who are planning to extract minerals for the next 40 years, will be working under Redrow Homes’ proposed Burlington Grange development north of the A4, which has 150 homes and two office blocks. Maurice Holder, whose home on Bradford Road is currently lives above the mines, said the noise can be unbearable if they are in the house all day. He said: “We find the noise disturbing and can live with it only on a short term basis. Luckily it has been during the summer and we have spent quite a bit of time out. During the winter months when we have to spend more time indoors it would be very unpleasant and could become unbearable." Neighbour Chris Denton says they too have recently heard the drilling, for the first time since they bought their house in 2011. He said: "Since the end of the summer holidays we've noticed for the first time some significant noise from the mining below us. At times it can start as early at 6.30am and continues until at least 5pm. We initially thought it was roadworks nearby as the sound is just like a road drill, whether upstairs or downstairs." There are concerns from the mining group themselves and managing director Simon Hart has said he believes more work should be done to investigate the risks associated with the Redrow scheme, as the development would also impede on his business. David Taylor, chairman of the Pickwick Association, who has been protesting against the application since in April, said: "This clear evidence now makes it imperative that Wiltshire Council insist that further noise and vibration testing is conducted to ensure that the developer properly assesses how best to mitigate the inevitable effects - on purchasers of this site and of stone mining immediately beneath any new homes and offices." A Redrow spokesman said: " A Redrow spokesman said: “We have undertaken extensive geotechnical testing across the Corsham site to ensure compliance at every stage of the development. In the case of this site, we have worked with specialist, independent consultants to identify and mitigate any issues relating to the attributes of this land. “The NHBC, the UK’s leading new home warranty provider, has reviewed all plans and is satisfied with all our proposals. We are also working with Wiltshire Council to mitigate any issues or concerns. “We’ve engaged with and are always available to meet with the town council, the town’s Neighbourhood Plan working group, Civic Society, local district councillor, St Patrick’s Church parochial committee, and the owner of Guyer’s House Hotel with regards to this site. “We have invited the Pickwick Association to meet us and we would like to reassure them that this invitation still stands and would be very happy to hear from them.”
Residents living above a working mine in Pickwick have warned that future home buyers in a proposed Redrow development on Burlington Grove will be disturbed by the noise of from the mine, which is projected to extract minerals for the next 40 years. The residents are concerned about noise, dust, and air quality as well as potential health risks associated with exposure to uranium at high levels over time.