Resident's protest halts demolition of Sheffield university building amid noise row

Conor O’Callaghan sat on a camping chair in front of a digger at the construction site of the University of Sheffield’s new Faculty of Social Sciences (FoSS) building, on the junction of Whitham Road and Northumberland Road, this morning.

Construction of the £65million hub began in May last year – but problems were subsequently found with the foundations of the site and work recently began to partially demolish the structure so alterations could be made.

Mr O’Callaghan, who lives on nearby Marlborough Road, described the demolition noise as ‘deafening’ and said both he and his neighbours were at their 'wits end’.

The 51-year-old claims that several of his complaints had been ignored by BAM – the contractors behind the build – and the university and said the peaceful protest was a last-ditch attempt to get their attention.

He said: “They were all lovely on-site and I apologised to them. A lad came over and asked what I was doing so I explained and he said ‘can’t you just send them an email?’

"I said I'd been doing that over the last 18 months with no joy – we’re at our wits end. It’s absolutely deafening.

"It was always planned to be safe, peaceful and respectful and I was supported by all the neighbours who came along to cheer me on.”

Workers downed tools for two hours during the protest before police arrived and escorted Mr O’Callaghan away, issuing him with a caution.

Speaking afterwards he added: “We were just there to make a point. I was sitting there thinking to myself the quiet is lovely. I thought if I’ve achieved anything I’ve given myself and my neighbours two hours of very rare peace and quiet.

"They’re digging the ground with two huge pneumatic drills and the noise starts at 8.30am in the morning. We find ourselves sitting at our tables at 8.45am on what is – for some of us – our summer holidays. We have kids, next door has kids, our neighbours have kids – the whole neighbourhood are completely behind me with this.”

The University of Sheffield said the partial demolition was ‘necessary’ so alterations can be made to the structure of the building, which contractors BAM will then rebuild.

It has previously apologised to residents for the disruption – while BAM said it feels “badly” about the impact on those living nearby given that there is a “very limited” amount that can be done while deconstruction takes place.

BAM said it has also offered the close group of neighbours alternative working space away from the construction site and hoped this would be of some assistance to them. None have taken it up so far. But Mr O’Callaghan said they have not been assured this is a ‘Covid-safe’ space.

Sheffield University and BAM have been approached for comment.

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