Residents' fury over £550k homes where developer left road unfinished and rubbish lay dumped for a year | Witney Gazette

2022-09-17 08:24:51 By : Mr. Jeremiah .

Angry residents have blasted their "nightmare" new-build estate after developers left it unfinished with heaps of builders' rubbish.

Homeowners fear a serious accident will happen where an exit road has been left undone on a "so-called exclusive development" built by a Woodstock company.

Residents at Field View, Bunkers Hill, in Kidlington, say they are experiencing the same issues as have been reported by buyers at another Keble Homes development, Park Farm Place in Northmoor.

One said: "We were the first resident to move into the so called 'exclusive development’ last year.

"All 10 homes are absolutely pulling our hair out with Keble Homes and the situation."

The main issues are dumped rubbish, dumped containers, unsafe road exits, missing fencing and landscaping and unfinished passing places.

The resident said: "Fencing has not been completed on the final cottage. This poor man's cottage has been left open for everyone to see straight in to.

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"The exit/entrance road has not been completed. This is extremely dangerous, I've lost track of how many times we've all had near misses.

"As there is only one small path to exit on to the main road, the cars leaving the lane have to use the entrance side. If someone arrives at Field View Lane and meets a departing vehicle, they have no option than to stop on the main road.

"A tarmaced passing place was not completed to the correct level as Keble ran out of tarmac.

"Yellow spray painted bricks need to be replaced and a shipping container should be cladded or hidden by fencing. Some of these are minor issues but they add to the overall situation."

One of the 10 homes at Field View, a four-bed three-bath 'Blenheim' style was on the market for £550,000.

Another resident who moved into the site a year ago said: "It has been a nightmare. We have been experiencing the same problems as pointed out in your article [on Park Farm Place].

He said they have spent over a year "with a very dangerous entrance and exit because Keble are dragging their feet on putting in a dropped kerb and it is only a matter of time before a serious accident happens".

They describe "a myriad of problems" and said they made a complaint to the police after they received abusive phone calls from Keble Homes director Jason Hale. 

In common with residents at Park Farm Place, they say Keble Homes refuses to hand over the management company "and this seems to be the same with all their developments, yet we have paid into this company and have no control over the funds."

He added: "They refuse to show us the bank accounts or how the money is being spent."

This resident alleges that he has spoken to many tradesman who have worked with Keble who said they are owed substantial sums for work done months ago.

He said the residents are angry that they have been "made many false promises and left with less then what they started with.

"It's unbelievable they are able to treat people in this way especially given what we have all been through the last few years."

Covman Management did not respond to a request for comment.

A spokesperson for Keble Homes said: "It’s regrettable to learn of unhappy customers as thankfully in the 20 years of developing new homes for hundreds of occupants it’s a very rare thing and we’d be more than happy to meet with whomever has made the accusations with an aim to understand how we can help.

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"The last thing we want is an unhappy customer where it’s avoidable."

She added: "The Bunkers Hill development is not yet complete, specifically the road infrastructure. We required a road closure for which we have had to wait a lengthy amount of time for approval from the local authority due its location and the type of closure."

She said this has now been obtained and contractors can complete their final package of works, which includes the compound for materials storage.

"Residents have been kept informed," she said. 

She added: "We have had to take legal action against a resident for a criminal offence which is ongoing so I am not able to comment further. 

"We are not a building contractor and do not have any build contracts with any third parties.

"The remaining elements of your email are not correct." 

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