A cottage has been allowed to keep its sewage treatment plant after facing complaints vibrations could be felt through a neighbouring property's floorboards.
Neighbours had raised concerns after the plant was installed by residents at the cottage in Great Bealings to replace a septic tank that was unfit for use.
Residents fitted the plant under their driveway last year, and officers consider it essential for the running of the property.
At a meeting of East Suffolk's planning committee on Tuesday, Jack Wilkinson, the applicant’s agent, said: “The application has attracted unevidenced objections from neighbours and the parish council.
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“This is unfortunate and regrettable, but you can’t please everyone.
“There are no objections from technical consultees. Mitigation is in place for noise and vibration.”
East Suffolk Environmental Protection stated noise was initially “very noticeable” but mitigation reduced it to a level that was no longer a statutory nuisance, though it was still audible.
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This mitigation included sound-proofing underlay, an ultra-low sound compressor unit and anti-vibration isolator pads.
Cllr Colin Hedgley, who lives in and represents Great Bealings, said: “Everyone is confusing noise and vibration.
“The noise has reduced with the compressor but the vibration remains, and this is the main complaint by the neighbour.
“She works from home. She can feel the vibrations through her floorboards every morning when she goes into her office.”
Cllr Hedgley declared an interest in the application, so he did not vote on it.
The officers’ report brought to council states: “Officers have considered whether the applicant could reasonably be asked to make any further changes to the scheme.
“It is considered that other alternatives at this stage would either be to move the entire sewage treatment plant elsewhere within the garden or move the mechanical components.
“Both these measures have the potential to create more amenity concerns, either by moving the plant closer to other neighbours or by resulting in more airborne sound.”
Five councillors voted for approval and three voted against.
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