Elan Homes Residents Express Outrage as Pristine £600,000 Properties Lie Amidst Unfinished Infrastructure in Worcester

Angry homeowners in Worcester have lambasted property developers Elan Homes for leaving their expensive new housing estates appearing like an 'extended construction site,' with roads unfinished three years after the first residents moved in.

Families, who shelled out between £400,000 and £600,000 for their dream homes in the outskirts of Worcester in 2020, have been forced to live amidst a landscape marred by incomplete roads. The state of the infrastructure has triggered a wave of complaints, with the dishevelled neighbourhood described as an 'unmitigated eyesore' that looks 'like it has been blitzed'.

The untarmacked streets have raised safety concerns among the locals, with some residents keeping their children indoors to avoid the hazardous terrain marked by raised drains, pot-holes, and traffic cones. Additionally, the residents have pointed out the potential difficulties they could face in the future if they decide to sell their properties, with the current road conditions significantly impacting the area's aesthetic appeal.

68-year-old Colin Jones, who moved into his £400,000 home on Oakmont Drive in September 2020, had envisioned a serene retirement within the tranquil surrounds of the countryside. Instead, the former mechanic has found himself amidst what he terms a 'nightmare scenario,' marked by the disarray of untarmacked roads.

Drawing attention to the potential perils the roads pose to families and children, Jones highlighted the issue of a local school located at the rear of the estate. He expressed his concerns about the road layout, calling out its unsuitability. He described the roads as narrowed down to restrict speed, yet the resulting effect could be the potential for accidents.

Jones indicated that the lack of proper infrastructure was not only a danger to motorists but also pedestrians, including those with pushchairs or on bikes. With raised drains up to four inches high, he explained, navigating the roads and pathways had become an unnecessary challenge.

Jones levelled accusations against Elan Homes, stating that the construction work along the streets, where property prices average £500,000, has been constantly impeded by Worcestershire County Council. He expressed frustration over the perceived pass-the-buck game between the council and the developers, leaving residents trapped in a state of limbo.

Adding to the residents' grievances is the case of a neighbouring estate whose roads were tarmacked once but were later removed and redone at a higher cost due to faults. Jones shared his concern that the constant delays, faults, and the council's alleged lack of transparency could potentially result in significant environmental waste, with material likely to have ended up in landfills due to these setbacks.

Residents remain resolute in their call for a swift resolution to the situation, with one homeowner sharing that the seemingly endless delays have turned their dream home into a 'nightmare from day one.'

The developer, Elan Homes, maintains that the road layout at the Stableford development was designed and approved in consultation with the local authority, including traffic calming measures. They further mentioned agreements in place with Worcestershire County Council and Severn Trent Water for the roads and sewers to be adopted and assured that remedial work is underway.

Despite the homeowners' frustrations, all parties involved, including Worcestershire County Council, maintain that the necessary remedial work is being undertaken to ensure that the finished development meets the required highway standards.