Barratt David Wilson Homes Residents Face A Living Nightmare Amidst Unfulfilled Promises in Tiverton Estate
In Tiverton, Devon, inhabitants of the newly constructed Braid Park estate are left in limbo as they grapple with a plethora of unresolved issues with their Barratt David Wilson Homes. Residents' dreams of a tranquil new life quickly unravelled, turning into a nightmare of frustration and dissatisfaction.
With nearly 250 homes snapped up since their 2019 release, homeowners had hoped for a comfortable transition to their new dwellings in the peaceful Devonshire countryside. The reality, however, has proven to be quite the opposite.
Among the multitude of grievances is the non-existence of a proper road connecting the estate to Post Hill's main road. Currently, the only viable access is a narrow, potholed lane skirting the perimeter of Tiverton Golf Club, a situation that has left residents deeply dissatisfied.
Newly elected Tiverton Town Council member, Rebecca Clarke, has been inundated with complaints about the state of the homes and the lack of fulfilled promises. Speaking to DevonLive, she aired her concern, "We were pledged a proper road to link our estate to the main thoroughfare. The current state of the makeshift route is abysmal. Despite temporary repairs, the Putson Lane continues to deteriorate and is unsuitable for regular use."
In addition to the infrastructure problems, locals are disappointed with the delay in the promised play area for children, which was initially slated to open before Easter. As a mother, Rebecca emphasised the importance of providing a safe place for children to play, stating it was a significant letdown for families in the estate.
Residents are also grappling with substandard garden conditions. Rebecca revealed that despite efforts to re-lay the grass during the last summer, the onslaught of a heatwave combined with the presence of leatherjackets, a common lawn pest, resulted in parched and unattractive gardens, a stark contrast to the lush green spaces advertised.
The wave of dissatisfaction is echoed by fellow resident Matt Dodd, who purchased his property with the belief that the developers would fulfil their promises. He deemed the road's hazardous condition and the absence of a playground as "an absolute disgrace."
In response to the community uproar, Barratt David Wilson Homes sent a letter in May, alerting homeowners to further unforeseen delays. The letter cited issues with the level at which the play park and link path had been constructed, which necessitated an independent surveyor's assessment to ensure safety. However, this further postponement has only fuelled residents' frustrations.
Even the younger residents like Josh Draper are feeling the pinch. He shared his longing for a play area and his concerns about walking to school due to the unsafe road condition. His father, James Draper, also emphasised the hazardous nature of the main exit, which has turned into a diversion for traffic and is riddled with potholes.
Apologising for the inconvenience, a spokesperson for Barratt David Wilson Homes Exeter explained that they hoped to complete the path and link road by the end of June. They are also working in close collaboration with Burrington Estates to schedule the installation of the play area.
Regarding the garden issues, they accepted some responsibility, stating, "Leatherjackets are naturally attracted to fresh turf in new gardens. We have examined a few specific cases where the turf was not installed to our usual high standard, and we've apologised and made necessary improvements promptly."
Despite these assurances, the mood remains sombre in Braid Park as residents await tangible progress on the issues affecting their homes.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/22541312/new-build-homes-nightmare-no-road/
