RESIDENTS surrounding a controversial building site in Bardsley claim their lives are being made “hell” by vibrations from digging and rolling, and heavy vehicles making deliveries.

The householders among about 100 homes also say the airborne dust and filth being thrown up at the site is preventing them from opening their doors and window.

People living in houses on Keb Lane, Levington Drive, Merlin Close, Middlefield and Newchurch have formed an action group to raise concerns about their problems with the site where contractors for First Choice Homes are building 28 rent-to-buy homes.

The residents were unsuccessful in forcing a judicial review of Oldham Council’s original decision to allow the development on the Bardsley’s only parcel of green public land last year.

Deborah Barratt, 55, lives yards from the entrance of the site on Levington Drive.

She said: “Contractors are trying to get articulated lorries delivering things like cabins to the site down a very narrow road.

“The vehicles are wrecking pavements and damaging trees. We can’t open our doors or windows because there is so much filth flying around, let alone sit outside in the nice weather.

“When the roller is operating, the vibration in the houses is horrendous. The whole structures are sent shaking. We have complained to First Choice Homes, the site manager and the council, but all we have been told is that it’s going to get worse.”

Debra Grice, 46, and her 50-year-old husband has moved out of their nearby home and relocated to their static caravan in Bridlington she is so fed up with the noise and vibrations.

Mrs Grice can only do this because she is an NHS worker on long term sick leave after sustaining an injury to her tendons in her wrist.

She said: “I have been driven from my home due to the terrible noise, horrendous vibrations, shaking of my property and dust getting into my house.

“I could not stay any longer. My mental health is suffering greatly while I am recovering and will be going to see my GP.

“I have also suffered with ill health for a few years and i am declining due to the building site.

“We have put official complaints in by email to certain individuals and we are yet to have any replies apart from a coffee morning which has been only just been organised for residents to voice their concerns.

“This does not help matters and will not stop the build which is causing detrimental health problems with other residents also."

Sally Slater, 32, is a care worker working shifts who lives at Middlefield.

“There are times when our whole house shakes,” she said. “Something needs to be done to stop this. It’s awful."

Cancer sufferer Steve Howarth, 65, who lives on Merlin Close with his partner Shirley Roberts, 60, said the vibration and humming sound from the roller machine which operates yards from his house was “unbearable”.

“I can see cracks in the stonework in my back garden, the vibration is that bad,” he said.

Meanwhile, Annmarie Coleman, 53, the mother of the owner of new BMW 5 series car, which cost more than £40,000 said she believed windscreen of the car had been cracked by falling rubble from one of the uncovered wagons leaving the site.

“I’ve spoken to the contractor and he’s saying we can’t prove the rubble caused the damage, but what else can it be?” she said. Her son did not wish to be named.

Homes and investment director at First Choice Homes Dave Woods, said: “Construction works are underway on the land at Keb Lane to build 28 new affordable homes.

“First Choice Homes Oldham have notified local residents when works were due to start.

“Kier Living have been appointed as contractor and works will take place over the next 12 months.

“The site has been registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme. The Considerate Constructors Scheme is designed to encourage best practice beyond statutory requirements.

“We understand that any construction work can cause a disruption and inconvenience and continue to work with residents in the area to address any issues and concerns they may have. We also plan to have customer updates for the residents along with regular meetings where issues can be discussed.”