THE developer behind controversial plans for 70 new homes on a former medical site in Shoebury has apologised for disruption and revealed construction will start in November.

Controversial plans for new homes on the former Cantel Medical site, in Campfield Road, have frustrated residents since they were first proposed and now concerns have been raised around the “constant noise” of work on the site.

Developer Taylor Wimpey apologised for disruption and revealed demolition has been completed and “brickwork” starts in November.

Shoebury Residents Association chair, Peter Lovett, has raised concerns about the impact the demolition and construction will be having on those living close to the site.

He said: “The demolition has been mostly carried out, they are putting foundations there now and rigs are using mechanical systems which bang down the enforcements, someone in the association mentioned it was quite loud around there.

“We are concerned about neighbours. People may get used to the noise and it will become background noise like with any building site, it is annoying, but you cannot stop the progress, but the issue is when it is continuous.

“You have to accept some noise, though. You can’t build 70 homes without noise.”

Taylor Wimpey launched the first of their homes on the development, named Artillery Mews, for sale in June.

Tricia Cowdrey, former independent councillor for Kursaal and member of the East Beach Residents Association, said she understands there are concerns about disruption.

She said: “There have been complaints about the mess caused by lorries coming out of the site, and that has caused an issue for the residents association.”

A Taylor Wimpey spokesman said: “We are sorry some of our neighbours have experienced disruption as a result of our work in Campfield Road. We are working within the limits set by the construction environmental management plan for the development, which was approved by Southend Council as part of our planning consent and sets out the time periods during which construction activity may take place.

“Whilst we have not received any recent complaints about noise, in the event any residents believe construction activity is taking place outside the limits set by the council, we encourage them to contact us.”