Noise keeps neighbour awake

A sleep-deprived resident has complained about night-time noise levels at the Tauranga Pak'n Save building site.

Norris St resident Mark Stone, whose home is right across the road from the supermarket, told the Bay of Plenty Times he had been kept awake about three nights every week for the past two months as work to expand the supermarket continued into the night.

Mr Stone said two or three nights of broken sleep each week wasn't much fun.

"A couple of weeks ago it was Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, right through the night hammering, skill sawing ... I live in an old house with thin walls and you just can't escape the noise."

With half a year yet to go on the supermarket project, Mr Stone said he didn't know how he was going to cope with the lack of sleep and had spoken to the Tauranga City Council twice about the noise.

Pak'n Save owner Dean Waddell said he had spoken to a man last month who had complained about the noise level, but thought the problem had been resolved.

He said he was sensitive to his neighbours.

"We're not allowed loud noise at night that is disruptive to people. I can't comment on whether there will be any more late night work because I'm not running the programme but [construction] will happen around the most convenient time and least disruptive time."

Five other residents living behind Pak'n Save spoken to by the Bay of Plenty Times also said they could hear construction noise overnight to varying degrees.

A council spokeswoman confirmed complaints had been received about the noise level at the site and said it had been working with the construction company to address them.

Regular construction noise standards applied to Pak'n Save, allowing for higher noise limits during specified times.

"There should be no loud construction noise in a residential zone after 8pm and before 6.30am."

She said noise complaints had been followed up with the site foreman.

As a result, advice had been sought from an acoustic engineer on how to reduce the noise levels.

The spokeswoman said residents who had made complaints had been advised to call noise control if the problem persisted.