Caroline Riddell and Stephen Stansfeld say Peasenhall, near Saxmundham, is meant to be a “sleepy” and “remote” village for mainly retired Suffolk folk.
However, a “racket” coming from a wood chipper in Valley Farm has “completely ruined” that aesthetic, turning them “crazy”, the pair say.
The noise has become so loud that they often wear earphones or turn up the radio to block it out.
Stephen Stansfeld, who lives 300 metres away, described the “tearing, whipping sound” as “unbearable” and “constant”.
He said: “It’s made us so miserable and we try and do what we can to block it out.
“We bought the place because we wanted somewhere quiet, but it’s just becoming industrial land.
“We wear earphones to block out the noise.”
They say the noise is making them go crazy. (Image: Contributed)
He also noted that a dryer at the site goes on late until the night, and he has tried to contact the landowner, Collins Farming and Forestry Services Ltd.
However, Mark Collins, Director of Collins Farming and Forestry Services, outlined that the company has operated on the outskirts of Peasenhall for the last nine years, producing woodchips for biomass heating.
“We are working with our neighbours, Peasenhall Parish Council, East Suffolk environmental health department and East Suffolk planning department to try and find a solution to reduce the noise level.
“To this end we have had two in depth sound analysis reports undertaken, and from this data and advice from consultants we have now submitted planning permission to erect a sound barrier.”
The retrospective planning application currently underway includes proposing a six metre straw bale wall as a sound barrier and a maximum of 130 weekdays of wood chipper use. It has had 35 objections.
Mr Collins pointed out that in the last year, between March and December, the wood chipper was in operation at Valley Farm for 52 days.
However, Mrs Riddel, who lives behind the property, added: “The idea of sitting out there in the summer and having a lunch and a cup of coffee is unbearable.
“The problem is that selling the property would be impossible.”
She says her family would normally rent out the property next to their home for around £15,000, but they are now unlikely to.
Other concerns included the large numbers of lorries passing through the village, the impact on local wildlife such as owls, and the impact on people enjoying rural walks.
An East Suffolk Council spokesperson said: “This application for retrospective planning permission is currently under consideration and awaiting a decision.
“It was received following an investigation into reports of unauthorised change of use from agricultural land to storage and processing of timber.
“The application has received a number of comments from consultees and neighbours.
“All of these comments will be taken into account, along with any material planning considerations, including potential negative effects of noise.”