CLOUDS of dust coming from controversial new homes being built in Chippenham are plaguing nearby residents, who say they now haven’t been able to sit in their gardens and enjoy the hot weather, or even open their windows for almost two months.

Coralee Williams, 53, of Heathfield, said that the dust coming from the Birds Marsh View development has made her life unbearable, as it took almost eight weeks for a water system to be installed to help dampen down the dust.

“They had nothing in place for dust control. I have had clouds of dust coming into the back garden and into the house,” she explained.

“We can’t have our windows open in this heat, and we can’t hang out our washing.

“I am disabled and stuck in my bedroom most of the time, so for me this has been a total nightmare. There were clouds of dust coming over and I had enough, I need fresh air.

“We haven’t been able to sit out in our garden for all of this beautiful sunshine we have had.”

Campaigners from the Friends of Birds Marsh spent years fighting the 750-home development.

Mrs Williams staged a protest last Wednesday in her wheelchair, blocking lorries and workers from getting onto the site.

By Friday, a water sprayer was installed which Mrs Williams said has helped, but should have been done a lot sooner.

“No one knew we were going to have a summer like this, I understand that, but it should have happened before they started work.”

“I just feel like they have ruined my life, I feel like crying every day. The sun is shining and I am sat indoors.”

A spokesman for Persimmon Homes Wessex, said: “We are monitoring the situation at Birds Marsh View and are working closely with the local authority to make sure we have appropriate measures in place.

“We have encountered an unusual amount of dust due to the very dry weather we have been experiencing and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

“This is an active development where we are providing new two and three bedroom homes and we are working towards welcoming our first residents in November.”

A spokesman for Barratt Homes said: “We are working hard to minimise dust and, following conversations with our neighbours, we have installed several extra measures to address the issue. Among the devices we are using are a full time road brush, a water bowser with a sprinkler system and a mist machine.

“We are committed to developing Birds Marsh View in a considerate manner and would welcome anyone with further concerns to contact us directly, either by dropping by the site office or giving us a call.”