ACOUSTIC fencing will not resolve noise problems say residents in North Oxfordshire's newest village who have likened living conditions to neighbouring an airport.

Glyn and Anne Dewis say they have been forced to stay at friends and hotels for a 'decent night's sleep' because of noise from an industrial car wash opposite their home at Heyford Park, near Bicester.

The couple are among several people complaining about the round-the-clock car wash and say the solution put forward by housing developers Dorchester Living is not acceptable.

Soden Road resident Mr Dewis, a photographer, said: "Since moving in life has quite literally been unbearable with the noise.

"The hours of operation are seven days a week, 6am - 10pm, however it runs earlier and later than this.

"We are just about surviving on five hours sleep a night and have been for some time, and with my wife being a paramedic working occasional night shifts in its not good."

Mr Dewis and his neighbours have complained to Dorchester Living which runs the development but for months little action has been taken.

First time buyers Simon Farnworth and Jade Whitaker have recently had their first child Isaac and say life has been frustrating both during the pregnancy and after because of the disturbance.

Both couples bought their home off plan, before they had been built.

Mr Farnworth said: "We did not notice the car wash at the time we moved in because we were just excited about getting our first home together.

"Once we went to go to sleep it was only then we noticed the big industrial car wash."

"The spotlights also beam directly into our room and its like Blackpool illuminations when they forget to turn them off overnight."

In response to the complaints Dorchester Living has agreed to erect an acoustic fence to lessen the noise pollution.

Spokesman Gavin Angell said: "We are aware of concerns about noise levels and have been liaising with residents of Heyford Park, the Department of Public and Environmental Health at Cherwell District Council and Paragon to investigate the issue.

"Further to discussions with the local authority and Paragon, a scheme of noise mitigation has been agreed and we have submitted a planning application for the assembly of acoustic fencing."

"We continue to work with all relevant parties involved to ensure the issue is resolved as quickly as possible."

The residents say they have been complaining about the noise for more than six months and Mr Dewis compared it to 'walking across an airport apron' adding that anti social behaviour also plays a part in the noise levels.

Mr Dewis moved with his wife from a village in Thame with the intention to buy a house in Soden Road, Upper Heyford, for three years before moving on to Devon.

Now they fear they will not be able to sell up if the noise puts off potential buyers.

He said: "Acoustic fencing has been mentioned but again it's just ridiculous and unsightly, and a reason we would not have bought the house."

The residents have said noise is generated from the car wash both day and night with cars being washed on some occasions at 2am and driven about at 6am.

BCA Fleet Solutions (formerly Paragon Automotive) director Stephen Maltby said: "As a major employer of over 500 local people we care deeply about our relationships with our neighbours.

"We have operated on this site since 1998 on a 24/7 basis.

"However whenever possible, we try and work between 6am and 10pm, but during busy periods this may be longer.

"Plans are underway for a new structure that will mitigate noise for residents. It is ready to be submitted for planning, and we hope that it can be progressed quickly.

"Our operations team is committed to minimising the impact of this busy site on our neighbours."