Haggerston waste site noise complaints reach 103 with no council action

Residents of Pearson Street, Haggerston, have recorded 103 noise complaints about a waste processing site operated by First Mile since March 2025. The site, located opposite their home, has been active for 15 months, and complaints describe overnight disturbances including glass smashing, machinery, and shouting.

David Robinson and Alexandra Ellis-Jones, who have lived on Pearson Street for five years, say the noise disrupts their sleep several nights a week. Their analysis of complaint logs shows 68% of incidents began between midnight and 6am, with disturbances lasting between five and 15 minutes.

Council enforcement rules limit action

Hackney Council said it can only take formal enforcement action under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 if officers witness noise from within a neighbouring property. A spokesperson told the Hackney Citizen that residents experiencing the issues have not provided this evidence.

Robinson said the couple requested overnight visits by council officers and monitoring equipment for their flat, but neither request was fulfilled. As of early July 2026, no environmental protection officer had witnessed the reported overnight disturbance, and no abatement notice had been served.

First Mile outlines long-term plans

First Mile, the operator of the waste site, has not confirmed a timetable to end overnight operations. The company told Hackney Council it had ordered an electric vehicle fleet, with night shifts expected to transfer to north-west London in early 2027. It also said it had approached a specialist contractor to assess soundproofing measures.

Robinson said the only update since a meeting with First Mile in April 2026 was that a “permanent solution” was being developed, with no details or timetable provided. The company did not respond to direct requests for comment from the Hackney Citizen.

Residents seek quieter overnight operations

Rather than seeking the site’s closure, Robinson and Ellis-Jones have proposed measures to reduce overnight noise. These include limiting glass handling to daytime hours, routing deliveries away from Pearson Street, and reducing cargo bike movements at night.

Hackney Council said the site has been designated for storage and distribution since the 1970s, and the Environment Agency has confirmed First Mile holds the necessary permissions to operate. The council said it would continue to work with First Mile and residents to resolve the issues.

What happens next

Residents are asked to continue logging noise diaries. A joint meeting between Hackney Council and First Mile has been proposed, which Robinson and Ellis-Jones have asked to attend. The council said it would continue to encourage residents to document disturbances while working with First Mile to address the concerns.