We can’t sell our ‘worthless’ new-build homes after developer put up huge estate ‘on contaminated land’
FURIOUS homeowners may be unable to sell their homes due to developers building 263 properties on potentially contaminated land.
Residents on a large Cheshire estate have learned their homes could be worthless - and now face a worrying wait while the situation is resolved.
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.
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", reports.
But this was met with an angry response from councillors, with one, David Marren, accusing the developer of putting "profit before compliance and assurance".
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The application was deferred for further investigation into the possible contamination of the site, with councillors arguing that they were not prepared to risk the health of those already living on the estate, without being sure.
This leaves concerned homeowners in a state of limbo, as it is unlikely they will be able to sell or re-mortgage their homes until the situation has been resolved.
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."
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He added: "They should have been served with a breach notice at that time."
Councillor David Marren called for the application to be refused and also accused Countryside of knocking down a historic factory wall instead of preserving it, as is required.
He also said that the developer had contributed very little towards education funding and given no contribution towards the NHS - both of which had helped the scheme make a profit.
There are currently 18 empty plots on the development with families waiting to move in.
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."
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Homeowners could get a payout of up to £50,000 if there is a fault with their new-build home under a new watchdog.
What will the New Homes Ombudsman Service be able to do?
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
