‘It’s big boys against the little people, I’m afraid’, neighbours say after homes next door are ‘built 2m too high’
FUMING neighbours living on an “unbelievably claustrophobic” estate have slammed a developer after homes were ‘built 2m too high’.
Residents on Lyndbrook Close, in Sittingbourne, are outraged after being told construction would last 18 months – but five years later properties are still unfinished.
Ann Smith, who has lived in her home near the estate since 1978, told KentOnline they “welcomed” affordable housing in 2019, with the hope it would attract more people to the area.
However, she claimed Moat Homes built new properties higher than stated in their plans – and now several neighbours can peer into her home from their windows.
“The houses that have been built out the back of us, plots three to five, they’re in the wrong position,” claimed Ann.
“Moat Homes doesn’t resolve anything.
“They couldn’t care less. It’s a case of the big boys against the little people, I’m afraid.”
The disgruntled local alleged “nothing’s been done” despite years of complaining to Moat Homes.
Alan Belsom, who has lived in the area for a decade, also claimed some new homes have been built 1.8 metres higher than planned.
“The site is unbelievably claustrophobic,” the 68-year-old said.
“All the new houses are just crammed in and I can’t see an answer to it.”
The concerned resident also claimed neighbours face daily parking battles due to poor planning on behalf of the developer.
Moat Homes faced similar backlash in 2016 when neighbours on a different estate noticed houses were being built at 11.19m instead of 9.75m.
Despite Swale Council ordering the development be demolished, an independent Planning Inspector allowed it to go ahead following an appeal.
A Swale Council spokesperson said: “The assessment on changes to land levels is contained within that report.
“It is the land levels that have been raised, not the actual height of the buildings. The application was deferred by the planning committee and remains under consideration.
“Moat Homes has not been given permission to do this.
“The land levels were changed without permission from the council and are now subject to the current planning application, which remains under consideration.”
The spokesman also said council officials are investigating locals’ claims that houses are different to submitted plans.
Sarah Butler, director of development and sales at Moat Homes, said: “We’ve carefully considered the impact that this new housing will have on neighbouring properties.
“All houses have been built in the locations set out in the approved planning application.
“The height of some of the blocks was changed to accommodate vital drainage solutions; the revised levels were reviewed by the Swale planning officer who found that they would not cause any unacceptable impact on living conditions for neighbouring residents.
“We want our new homes to have a positive impact within their communities and have offered to attend a further public meeting with councillors and residents.
“We hope to be able to hold these discussions soon to address any concerns and discuss how we’ll manage these homes in the future.”
The Sun Online contacted Moat Homes for comment.
This comes as other families across the UK have battled with their own newbuild nightmares.
The Cooks, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, say their £345,000 forever home has turned into a house from hell.
Meanwhile, in Nottinghamshire, homeowners have claimed their dream newbuilds have become a nightmare as plans to build a warehouse and car park nearby have been put forward.
Plus, residents who were promised “stunning” £400k homes in a housing development have been left fuming.
And angry locals in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire have slammed newbuild plans for “taking away years of hard work” from their community and “ruining” livelihoods.
The latest housing plan has been branded the project a town killer.
What are your rights?
If you believe your developer has not shared relevant information with you or sold a property under false pretences, you can take them to court for property misrepresentation.
If successful, you can claim for the amount that your home has decreased in value, as determined by the court.
Other faults with homes, like issues with fixtures or fittings, or complaints that building work has not finished on time are usually covered by the developers’ code of conduct.
Issues can be resolved privately with the developer and insurers.
If they are not dealt with to you satisfaction, you can elevate the complaint to the independent Housing Ombudsman