RESIDENTS in an area of Okehampton say they have been living next door to neighbours from hell since work started on a housing development.

Work on the Persimmon Homes development to build 129 houses on land off Crediton Road began earlier this year.

But over the last few months increased noise levels and large amounts of dust had left residents feeling like prisoners in their own homes, said one of them, Fred Bostock.

Mt Bostock, who lives close to the site, said the development had caused a lot of stress.

He said: Our biggest problem is with West Devon Borough Council they have a duty of care to us.

West Devon environment officers should be enforcing this situation they have all the powers they need to make sure they tow the line.

The site only has neighbouring houses on an eighth of the perimeter, but they have put all their materials in the bottom corner where our houses are there are skips, toilets and mixers for concrete all within 20 yards of our homes.

They are contracted to work from 7.30am until 5pm, but start at 6.30am and stayed until 8pm one night.

Mr Bostock said although dust levels had improved, strong winds made it almost impossible to see out of their window.

We spent most of June in dust cars were covered in it, including our conservatory, which was eight inches deep we couldnt see out.

Nor could we sit outside in the beautiful weather or hang our washing out  our next door neighbour tried, but she had to bring it back in.

Resident and next door neighbour to Mr Bostock, Yvonne Street, said being next to the development was like living with neighbours from hell.

The dust is a serious health issue, all my family have developed coughs as a result of it.

Despite being promised to be kept informed by Persimmon, we have been told nothing.

The homes proposal also includes associated garages, footpaths, public open spaces and drainage.

In a statement to the Times, the managing director for Persimmon Homes South West, Simon Perks, said: We apologise to residents who have been affected by the noise and dust levels from our working building site, and we are doing everything possible to control these.

The prolonged dry period has, however, caused more dust disruption than was originally anticipated.

The chemical portable toilets, which we can confirm do not pose an environmental health threat, are situated away from the working area and should not be causing a nuisance. We will, however, be investigating this matter further.

A letter to Mr Bostock from West Devon Borough Councils environmental health officer, Jim Burdus, stated dust and noise levels were about average for a construction site.

Mr Burdus said practical steps to control the problems were being taken by Persimmon and the dust situation had improved slightly with the change in weather.

He added: We are aware of the complaints and are monitoring the situation.