Marske housing site’s drainage pump ‘keeping residents awake’

A water pumping system at a housing development looks like a “swamp” and is so noisy it is disturbing people’s sleep, nearby residents have claimed.

More than 800 homes are being built just south of Marske on Teesside where a sustainable drainage system (SuDS) has been constructed.

Ian Collings, who lives near the site, said the noise was “unbearable” and could be heard on and off at night.

Developers Miller Homes/Taylor Wimpey said the drainage system was “operating as we would expect” and such features often appeared “unsightly” before landscaping was established.

Independent councillor Dr Tristan Learoyd, who is a longstanding campaigner against the development, said the pond created for drainage looked like a “swamp” and sounded like a fax machine.

Protests have been held by campaigners who claim the development off Longbeck Road is environmentally damaging and will overwhelm the existing conurbation.

Mr Collings said: “It’s on and off all night, sometimes lasting for minutes, and is keeping us awake and causing a lack of sleep.

“It’s unbearable.”

An email to the developers from Dr Learoyd, who represents the St Germain ward, said: “There is a defective pumping system which is making a loud fax machine-like noise whenever there is water in the swamp.

“Please can this be addressed as soon as possible?

“The swamp looks terrible, it is depreciating your development and creates an unsightly vista upon entering Marske-by-the-Sea at the railway line.”

The developers said they understood the importance of addressing issues that affected existing and new residents, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Their response to Dr Learoyd said: “We note your points regarding the SuDs basin at the entrance of the site.

“This is operating as we would expect during the construction phase of the development.

“However these features often appear unsightly before landscaping is established.”