Dalkey: Noise and vibrations from excavation works felt kilometres away

Dalkey residents are complaining about the “horrendous” noise pollution coming from excavation works at a development on Harbour Road.

The 105-apartment complex was approved in July by An Bord Pleanala with construction on the project beginning late last year.

However, several residents in the area are complaining that excavation works on the granite on the site is causing vibrations and a rattling noise which can be felt a few kilometres away.

It is understood that works on the site begin at 7am and finish at 7pm on weekdays.

Mary Fayne, Fine Gael councillor for the area said that the “situation is dire” and has requested an online meeting with senior planner at Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Mary Henchy.

A letter from the planning department addressing the complaints said that the acoustic screens that were installed to reduce the noise pollution were blown over by strong winds but “this has since been remedied.”

In the letter, a planning department administrator says that “there is no requirement set out in the approved construction management plan for the development site at Charleville, Harbour Road, Dalkey, that stipulates that the acoustic wall must be completed prior to any rock breaking taking place on site.

“The acoustic wall is to be constructed along the entire school [St Patrick’s] building and is designed to act as a sound barrier and as a sound absorbing structure to reduce the reverberation of impact sound around the site.”

The letter finishes by saying that “there does not appear to be any breach of the planning conditions and therefore no action is available to the planning enforcement section at this time.”

It is understood that many Dalkey residents have filed complaints with the Winterbrook, the developers of the site.

Dublin People has contacted Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for comment on the matter.