Ed Miliband's neighbours in uproar over heat pump noise fear
The energy secretary is spearheading the mass adoption of heat pumps and has a target of installing 600,000 a year in Britain by 2028.
However, dozens of Mr Miliband's North London neighbours have objected to a planned five-storey block of flats over noise pollution concerns related to the heat pumps included in the designs.
Mr Miliband's wife, Justine Thornton, is among those to object to Camden Council about the development in Dartmouth Park, a wealthy suburb in the Prime Minister's constituency. Sherlock actor Benedict Cumberbatch has also opposed the plans.
She previously called the design 'too tall, too bulky and too dense', although she has not commented specifically on the inclusion of heat pumps.
But the eco devices come up several times in objections lodged by neighbours and published on Camden Council's website.
Local resident Kim Roper said: 'The inclusion of six ground-level heat pumps near adjoining residences raises serious concerns about long-term noise pollution.'
Jerome Gautrais similarly raised concerns over 'noise pollution risks from six external heat pumps close to living spaces.'
Katrina Silver said: 'Six noisy heat pumps and space for bicycles is simply 'greenwashing'.'
Mr Miliband has already been left red-faced by his wife's involvement in the so-called 'Nimbyism' row over the flats as it goes against the Labour's repeated promises to end 'challenge culture' whereby communities block new developments.
Sir Keir Starmer previously pledged to 'take on the Nimbys.'
But, the latest revelation offers fresh embarrassment to Mr Miliband, who has sought to quash anxieties around heat pumps and even has one installed in his own home.
Air source heat pumps, which are positioned outside a home, can produce a low constant hum of between 40 and 60 decibels, which is similar to the level of noise made by a fridge or dishwasher. They will typically run continuously throughout winter.
A noise impact assessment by ALN Acoustic Design found that it would be possible to achieve a low level of noise at the Dartmouth Park development. It said it would 'avoid causing any significant impact at the neighbouring residential properties.'
But, resident Harry Raikes called the noise impact assessment 'inadequate'.
He added: 'It does not properly evaluate the potential for continuous or intermittent noise, particularly affecting neighbouring gardens and internal living spaces.
'Without robust mitigation measures and clear assurances that noise levels will remain within acceptable limits, this element of the development poses a risk of ongoing noise pollution, further impacting residents' quality of life.'
It comes months after The Telegraph revealed that Parliament paused a planned rollout of heat pumps amid concerns over their noise and effectiveness,
Camden Council and the Energy Department were approached for comment.
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