Dream Home Turns Nightmare Over Tesco Noise

A neighbour says her dream flat in Reading has become a nightmare because of noise from a Tesco Express refrigeration plant opposite Broad Street Mall.

Nikola Taseski bought the Cheapside flat in July but within two weeks was disturbed by loud plant noise and complained.

She said: "What was supposed to be one of the happiest, most exciting milestones of my life quickly turned into an unmitigated nightmare of continuous, deafening noise and severe sleep deprivation caused by Tesco's commercial HVAC alley plant equipment."

Council environmental health measured the noise at 80.8 dBA in the service alley, 70.6 dBA outside the building and 57.4 dBA in her bedroom.

Following an August visit, the council served a Section 80 Noise Abatement Notice on the store manager. The council says the notice must be complied with within days or Tesco could face enforcement action.

Ms Taseski also said: "I personally emailed Tesco CEO and Customer Service and again absolutely nothing has been done."

She points out planning rules limit day-time plant noise to 42 dBA and night-time to 31 dBA.

The council added: "The council has every sympathy with this resident who has endured unacceptable noise levels as a result of this activity. In this case a compliance date has been set for Friday, August 28, at which point the council will consider if any further action is required."

A Tesco spokesperson said: "We always strive to be good neighbours and work hard to minimise any disruption within the communities we serve. Our maintenance teams are currently carrying out a range of works at the store to further reduce the noise from its refrigeration system."

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter