Angry townsfolk say work on new housing estate is '˜ a development in hell'

Developer D Noble Ltd has started work to build 84 houses off Limetrees in Pontefract, after being granted planning permission in February.

But people living in the area say they are concerned about the impact the work is having on their streets.

Resident Sir Bill O’Brien deemed the work “a development in hell”.

He said: “The road into the development comes through our residential estate.

“We are having large work vehicles coming past our houses, some mounting the pavements, causing a risk to both residents and cars.

“The street is also lined with mud from vehicles leaving the site.”

Mr O’Brien, who says he has written to Wakefield Council to raise concerns on behalf of residents, added: “Driving through trails of mud, fear from meeting heavy laden lorries on the street, parking of vehicles obstructing residents’ cars, noise and dirt, and general mayhem are the factors, people have to endure living on Limetrees.”

D Noble Ltd also developed the existing properties at Limetrees.

Managing director Chris Noble said his team were abiding by an approved management plan.

He said : “We are trying to work with residents to ensure there is minimal disruption.

“Every one of our delivery drivers has been asked to ring prior to entering the site so that they can be escorted. Every vehicle is washed before it leaves the site .

“Some people are up in arms about traffic coming through the residential area but the road is capable of taking traffic for 450 houses and there’s currently only 55.

“We built the original Limetrees site and have no desire to fall out with existing customers. But we have a job to do to build the new houses and we just want to get on.”