Family angry after builders dump 30ft mud heap at end of their garden

A family say their lives have been made a "living hell" after builders left a 30ft-high mud heap at the end of their garden.

Andrew and Sharon Allen, who both work for the NHS, say the mud mountain has made them and their three children’s lives miserable, leaving them physically and mentally unwell.

Their four-bedroom detached home in Irchester, Northamptonshire, is just yards from a planned 70-house estate.

Since the development started in June, builders have piled up rubble and mud just feet away from their garden fence, which now towers over their property.

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On 5 November, Sharon, 45, was rushed to A&E after she suffered breathing problems she claims were caused by inhaling dust from the site.

The couple’s 20-year-old son Joshua also suffered severe asthma attacks in the summer after their home was covered in dirt which was blown from the mud pile.

Mr Allen, 48, a paramedic, said: “It’s been a living hell.

“Since June the mud pile just got bigger and bigger.

“The prevailing wind blows the dust into our property 20 per cent of the time."

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He added: "You can feel it in your eyes and in your mouth. It’s like being sandblasted on a beach."

Mr Allen said they couldn’t go into the garden or hang out the washing.

He added one of his neighbours has COPD, a lung condition which causes breathing difficulties and has been affected.

The family are demanding urgent action from Mulberry Property Developments, which is building the new estate.

Last month North Northamptonshire Council issued the company with a notice after ruling there was a “dust nuisance” coming from the site.

The firm claimed the piling up of rubble and mud was a temporary issue and would be removed in due course.

Mr Allen said: “We have been exposed to the dust and reduced air quality 24 hours a day, seven days a week since early June with the only abatement on days of calm still weather.

“On the days where the air quality is really bad, which is often, there is no reprieve in the house either, the atmosphere is heavy and thick, you can taste the dust in the air.”

Chris Russell, construction director at Mulberry Homes, added: “We are working with the local planning and environmental health teams to mitigate the dust on site to best practice, and are removing the spoil heap whilst being mindful of increased traffic.

“We understand residents’ concerns and remain grateful to them and the wider community for their patience.”