A TRURO councillor has described as “shocking” the treatment of residents whose homes back onto Wain Homes’ Trevow Heights housing development on land that once formed part of Dudman Farm.

Homeowners in Carrine Road have complained that the removal of trees and shrubs has robbed them of privacy and left their properties vulnerable to noise and dust pollution since work began in December 2024.

Tom and Julie Chandler have lived in Carrine Road for 25 years. They claim workmen are on site from 7am to 5pm, six days a week.

“We had no use whatsoever of our back garden over the summer,” said Mr Chandler. “We can’t have our windows open or put washing out. We get no enjoyment from our property – we’re both retired, and we go out to get away from it all.”

He and next-door-neighbour Klaus Glanville asked Wain Homes for a fence to restore their privacy and offer protection against dust. “They agreed, reluctantly – but it got in the way of works, so they ripped it down again,” said Mr Chandler.

Mr Glanville added Wain Homes then agreed to put up an acoustic fence. “That was two months ago and we’ve heard nothing since.”

The two men appealed to their Cornwall councillor Rob Nolan (Lib Dem, Boscawen and Redannick) for help. Cllr Nolan told Truro Voice: “I think it’s shocking – I’ve never known anything like it.”

He added he had requested contact details for a site manager several times, to no avail. “It was a condition of the planning permission that a site manager be available to deal with residents’ issues - another failure,” he said.

“Wainhomes seem to want to wait until their subcontractors have finished doing the groundworks and hand over the site. But residents need someone to contact now.”

The blocking of Piggy Lane, an ancient byway now popular with dog walkers, has also caused consternation. It is currently blocked off by Wain Homes subcontractor Champion due to site access. “It’s been there forever. I’m astonished it isn’t a Public Right of Way and that someone can close it off just like that,” said Cllr Nolan.

A spokesperson for Wain Homes said: “As a responsible and considerate housebuilder, Wain Homes remains committed to development with minimum disruption to local residents.

“Whilst an acoustic fence has never been planned or promised, in order to protect the privacy of existing homes along Carrine Road, Wain Homes is in the process of erecting a 1.8m fence in this area of the site.

“We continue to liaise closely with the local council as work progresses. We had a meeting with Cllr Nolan in September and we will continue to liaise with the Council and local residents throughout the duration of the development.”

Regarding Piggy Lane, Wain Homes has previously said: “We have been given permission by the landowner to access the land for a period of time to enable some groundworks on our development and, of course, will take necessary precautions to ensure public safety.”