Redwall Developments, the company behind controversial building work taking place on Grimesthorpe Road, has churned up local feelings once again after damaging local nature site, Smithies Field.
Trouble began for residents of Carwood Close back in August when they awoke to the sound of excavators digging a large hole in the field just a few yards away from their back gardens.
Local people discovered that Redwall had been carrying out work to connect drainage to their construction site on Grimesthorpe Road.
Residents informed the Messenger that the Dinnington based contractor had been starting work outside their homes as early as 6.30am and was leaving their road covered in mud.
They also told us that Redwall had left a large and dangerous hole in the field, without adequate barriers to stop children climbing or falling into it. One resident explained that children had always used the field to play on, “We were going to have a children's funday on the field but couldn't because they'd dug a great big hole.”
Planning officers were asked to enforce the conditions originally agreed by Redwall in their planning application, which should have prevented them from working at unsociable times and using the Close as an access route to the site. Concerned residents have been told to seek advice from the Health and Safety Committee regarding the hazardous excavations.
Another resident complained that, “They've left all this mud piled up and left a deep hole in the ground. There's nowhere for kids to play now, it's just not safe for them.”
Residents also alerted the Messenger to damage done further up Smithies Field, the site of special natural history interest extending from Carwood Close to Redwall's construction site. Several people had witnessed the developer driving heavy vehicles across the grassland. This action was seen as particularly destructive as the area was just starting to recover from a devastating fire in the summer.
Residents are meeting with local Councillors to see what action can be taken to force Redwall to stick to the planning conditions and prevent further damage to their local green space.