‘Constant’ noise at building site causing sleepless nights
WORK AT WEST END GATE PROJECT STARTED IN 2017
A RESIDENT living next to a construction site in Paddington has said he is struggling to sleep and his flat is constantly covered in dust as a result of major noise and dust pollution.
Adnan Alenzi lives on a social housing estate beside the Berkeley Group’s West End Gate development, which is set to provide more than 800 homes.
One planning application, which was approved in 2015, shows Westminster City Council approved the development of up to 652 homes, of which only 126 were going to be ‘affordable.’
Residents living near to the development have reported numerous disturbances from construction noise to excessive dust.
Mr Alenzi, who suffers from multiple pre-existing physical and mental health problems, said the noise from the construction site is constant throughout the day and has caused him severe stress.
The resident, who is in his 50s, said: “Now when you are talking with me, there is noise. It begins in the morning until 6pm. I cannot sleep.
“It’s very difficult for me. This adds pressure to my head.”
Mr Alenzi, who lives alone, moved to the Princess Louise Close estate in 2017 – the same year that the Berkeley Group’s development project began.
According to the Berkeley Group website, the private homes that have been built include a collection of one, two, three and fourbedroom apartments and two ‘stunning’ penthouse apartments costing between £940,000 and £2,640,000.
The website states: “Situated moments from the prestigious neighbourhoods of Marylebone and Little Venice, West End Gate comprises a range of apartments situated around private landscaped gardens. Residents will enjoy first-class facilities including a 24-hour concierge, private cinema room, pool, gym and spa.”
However, the constant noise and dust pollution from the construction has led to heightened stress for many nearby residents, particularly those on the Princess Louise Close estate.
Mr Alenzi said: “When I came here, the construction had begun and it’s a headache for me and noisy. Because I am sick, I have a lot of problems. I cannot sleep. I take all of these 18 tablets every day for blood pressure, for my heart and I take tablets for mental [health].
“Before I came here, I took tablets to sleep, I can’t sleep without tablets. Now I come here, they give me another tablet to sleep. I am tired here.”
He said the only time he can sleep without tablets is when the noise of the construction has stopped, which he claims is only during the Christmas holidays.
“I pray everyday [for the project to finish]. If they begin another project for the police station, believe me, I cannot control myself with another project,” he said.
The dust caused by the construction site is also another issue for Mr Alenzi and nearby residents.
“It’s a big problem. Every two days I clean the flat but [there is
still] the dust. In the toilet inside, there’s dust,” he added.
Recently, Berkeley Group was seeking to redevelop Paddington Green police station into three towers and 556 homes as part of their ‘West End Gate masterplan.’
However, council planning bosses voted five to one to reject the application over fears the height of the building would impact protected views of Hyde Park, Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill.
This newspaper contacted the Berkeley Group and Westminster City Council about the claims made by Mr Alenzi but neither responded.
The Berkeley Group and Westminster City Council also did not respond to the question as to how they will support existing residents in the area who are impacted by the development. We also sought to clarify how many homes in total were being developed for the project and when the project is expected to be completed, but did not receive a response.