‘Constant banging’ annoys space centre’s neighbours
IT’S A NUISANCE FOR LOCALS, BUT BUILDER SAYS PILING WORK WILL END THIS WEEK
LOUD construction work at a new Nottinghamshire space centre has shocked the site’s neighbours.
Residents in Newark said the “constant banging” began on November 23 and continues between 8am to 5pm, making it difficult for those who work at home.
The construction work is being carried out on the former Newark Cattle Market, where the new Space and Aviation Centre is being created by Lincoln College and constructed by GF Tomlinson.
While many residents are excited about the project and what it could mean for the town, others are currently struggling with the loud noise.
Retired Margaret Carr, 76, said she is thankful the noise “doesn’t go on throughout the night”.
Speaking of the plans for a new A46 bypass, Margaret said: “They had warned us about noise for that, and dust, but we have heard nothing about this.
“It sounds like a drum banging. We can hear it even with our windows closed, although since Covid I do open mine every day.
“If we have music or the TV on then it blocks it. I do realise they have to do these things.”
When asked about the noise, health and safety worker Grace Coverdale, 32, said: “I’m OK with it as I am out most of the time. I was hoping for a lie-in this morning and didn’t realise it was 8am as then the banging started, but it has to be done.
“At least it’s a consistent beat, I thought it was a train the first time I heard it. I assume it’s levelling the ground or something.”
When asked her thoughts on the centre, Grace added: “My only concern is I don’t know how it’s going to come out into the road. My concern is safety as it’s college kids that are going to be going there.”
Asked about the noise, carer Anita Rawson, 70, said: “It is quite annoying but I’m going to work soon.
“I only heard it last night but what can we do. If we want the building then there’s no other way. I think it’s such a good thing that we’re going to have something like that here.”
Retired Patrick and Dawn Bannon are also growing frustrated with the noise. Dawn, 68, said: “The noise is annoying.
“I do try and block it out but it is there constantly and yesterday we had our little grandson and we were trying to get him to sleep with this constant noise, even though the window was shut.” Patrick, 71, added: “I can understand why they have to do it, I think we will just get used to it.” Retired Janet Gulliford, 73, said: “It starts at 8am then usually finishes around 5pm. I know they have to do it.”
Janet said the centre is “going to be bigger than what we thought” and believes it will take some of the car parking spaces away from the neighbouring Newark and Sherwood District Council office. She added: “I’d better get some earplugs.”
She also raised concerns about the lorry park being taken away, which she described as “the heart of Newark”.
Retired Janet Turner, 77, said: “It really vibrates down there and at the back of houses down there.
“We could hear it over the television last night. I feel bad for people on night shifts.”
Her husband Trevor, 78, said they had seen a man near the homes on Kelham Road with a sound meter. He said: “They are piling for the buildings. They are putting steel in to support the building. It’s got to fit an aircraft in there.”
A spokesperson for the builders said: “GF Tomlinson is pleased to be delivering the construction of the Air and Space Institute for Newark College, which will bring a world-class training facility to Newark, enabling students to have a unique and hands-on teaching experience.
“We always strive to minimise disruption to the surrounding communities of our projects, and prior to starting on site in Newark, our sitebased project manager undertook a letter drop to local residents informing them on the works being carried out over the coming weeks.
“Works are now under way, and we are currently undertaking the piling process as part of the foundations for the building. This process naturally does create noise, but as with all our sites, we work with an independent company to monitor noise levels – to ensure they remain within the acceptable limits – which they are at the Air and Space Institute. However, these piling works should be complete by the end of this week (December 2).”
A Newark College spokesperson added: “We are sorry for any disruption to residents, but at this stage some noise is inevitable. We are happy that GF Tomlinson went to considerable effort to inform residents that work was happening via a leaflet drop and we understand that the works that are causing noise will be complete by the end of the week. In the meantime, we apologise again for the disruption and hope residents can bear with us.”
It sounds like a drum banging. We can hear it even with our windows closed
Margaret Carr