We’re living a newbuild ‘nightmare’ – we’re terrified of using our gardens & fear our kids will get sick
RESIDENTS living a newbuild “nightmare” have said they are terrified of using their gardens and fear their kids will get sick.
Angry homeowners in Crewe, Cheshire, are already fearing that their properties could be left worthless after developers built on potentially contaminated land.
All 263 homes on the Coppenhall Place development could be torn down because of health concerns.
It’s meant some parents have already banned their children playing on the grass or have stopped gardening.
Officials from Cheshire East Council insist there is no danger to human health but locals are worried about residues of asbestos, lead, cyanide and arsenic beneath the land.
Businessman and resident Richard Hughes, 32, said: “People are worried about their health being put at risk since it all came out.
“You don’t see many kids playing football in the back gardens so much any more.
“I’ve stopped digging in my garden. I don’t want to churn up the soil. It’s a worry and some people are scared.”
While one education worker, who did not want to be named, said his back garden has patches of dark soil and holes in it.
He told The Sun: “I’m worried there is poison in the soil.
“Like a lot of people I’m frightened what this means not only for the value of my house but also for my health and those of my loved ones.
“I have noticed less and less kids playing in the back garden.
“My neighbour’s kids used to play football in their back garden but not so much any more now. Everyone is concerned.”
The 55-year-old, who bought his four-bedroom new build home in December 2020 for £250,000, added: “This is a nightmare.
“We all feel we’ve been lied to had the wool pulled over our eyes.
‘OUTRAGEOUS’
“You wouldn’t sell someone a car with faulty brakes or dodgy wheels but this is what I feel they have done. It’s outrageous.”
Mum-of-two Amanda Grayson, 42, said: “We just don’t know what’s going on.
“A meeting was due to be held to tell us but that seems to have been cancelled.
“People are worried that they won’t be able to re-mortgage and they’ll end up losing their homes.
“Everyone is worried but I just hope that it will be sorted soon. I just hope they find the land is not contaminated.”
Countryside Partnerships was granted permission to build the 263-home Coppenhall Place development in Crewe in 2018.
But its apparent failure to deal with a condition relating to contaminated land means that the housing estate has been built without the correct approval.
Everyone is worried but I just hope they find the land is not contaminated
Amanda Grayson, 42
On March 23, Countryside Partnerships submitted a new application to Cheshire East’s planning committee to regularise the development, claiming council officers were “satisfied the site does not pose a risk to human health”.
But this was met with an angry response from councillors, with one, David Marren, accusing the developer of putting “profit before compliance and assurance”.
Councillor Stewart Gardiner said: “They (Countryside) knew full well that they were required to undertake work relating to the discharge of that [contaminated land] condition before one brick was laid and yet they chose not to do it.
“That’s not overlooking, that’s not forgetfulness, that is active breach.”
Isla Brady, from Countryside Partnerships, said that without planning permission they were unable to legally complete on the final plots.
She added that Countryside would now make some contributions in terms of education and the NHS, adding that the developer had paid £100,000 in contributions following the 2018 permission as had been agreed following a viability assessment.
A Countryside spokesperson said: “We have been aware of the outstanding planning condition and have consulted and been working with both council officers and the Environmental Protection Department to address it, submitting a retrospective planning application that was recommended for approval.
“Our priority is to resolve this issue for our residents and customers.
“We acknowledge the Planning Committee’s comments and will work with all necessary bodies with a view to achieving full planning approval for this site as quickly as possible.”
What to do if you have issues with your new home
IF you have issues with your new-build home, the New Homes Ombudsman Service will be able to help.
The watchdog will hold developers to account and require them to put matters right with new powers including:
- Adjudicating on complaints and upholding standards set out in a Code of Practice
- Awarding up to £50,000 in compensation to home buyers
- Forcing developers to undertake or refrain from undertaking work
- Telling developers to improve their service
- Publishing details and reasons for expulsion of developers
- Making recommendations on timescales to resolve disputes
- Making developers apologise and explain