'We're being eaten alive': Braintree's Coggeshall Mill residents plagued by mosquitoes
Residents reckon the issue stems from stagnant water in the drains, pushing some to even sleep with lemons on the bed
Residents in one of Coggeshall’s newest housing developments say they are being “eaten alive” by mosquitoes.
People living in Coggeshall Mill say there is a mosquito infestation and believe the issue may be linked to standing water in the development’s drains.
Residents, like Mark Grant, who says he has resorted to putting lemons on each corner of the bed to deter the insects, are desperate for a solution.
Some are even saying they now want to leave because of the mosquitoes.
“It is a problem, I think last year was worse, but it didn’t start until mid-summer,” Mr Grant said. “It makes you paranoid at night. When you hear them, I can’t sleep until I’ve killed them. I used to live in Dunmow, and I can’t remember ever having them there.”
The developer, Vistry, is aware of the concerns raised but says it has not identified any widespread issues.
They said the development’s drainage basins have been constructed in line with approved plans and are part of a standard ‘sustainable drainage system’ (SuDS), designed to allow water to flow through the network rather than remain stagnant.
The issue is particularly affecting those with young families, with one local resident saying their children “get bitten more” and that it was hard to keep them comfortable and keep the windows closed, which has prompted some locals to buy mesh screens as a solution.
“My children are eaten alive despite trying so many bands, sprays, wipes”, one resident said on social media, “It angers me so much that we live like this. We love this area, but just want to be away from this estate and the mosquitoes now.”
The Coggeshall Mill mosquito problem has now been raised with Braintree District Council, and Councillor Paul Thorogood has asked Vistry to investigate.
During a meeting this week, Cllr Thorogood said: “I’ve been contacted by a number of residents reporting a significant mosquito infestation across the estate at Coggeshall, with families of young children appearing to be particularly affected, with young children suffering multiple bites and adverse reactions, and some of them being off school as a result of nursery.
“While this estate remains under construction, responsibility for the drainage infrastructure ultimately rests with the developer, but the impact on residents is immediate and cannot simply be ignored.”
Cllr Lynette Bowers-Flint, cabinet member for housing and environmental health, said that if the drainage features have not been constructed in accordance with the approved details or are not operating correctly, planning enforcement can investigate, but she added that proving the drains were the source of the problem could be difficult.
She said: “Following the concerns raised, the head of planning will arrange for a compliance case to be raised and investigated by the planning enforcement team. In the meantime, the head of environmental health would be happy to support a meeting on the site with the developer and managing agent to discuss the issues raised. “
A spokesperson from said: “We are aware of the concerns raised at Coggeshall Mill and have been in discussion with our team, who have not identified any widespread issues. The drainage basins have been constructed in line with approved plans and are part of a standard sustainable drainage system, designed to allow water to flow through the network rather than remain stagnant.
“As the site is located on former farmland near the Essex Way, some increase in insects can be expected, particularly during periods of warmer weather. We will continue to work closely with the local authority and are happy to engage with environmental health and planning officers to review any concerns and ensure the drainage system is operating as intended.”