Builder is slammed over estate upkeep

From the archive, first published Tuesday 12th Oct 2004.

THEY are not looking for a Ground Force-style make-over.

People living on an upmarket Chandler's Ford estate just want the company which built their homes to keep its promise to tidy their hedges and greens.

Residents say overgrown hedgerows and weed-ridden green areas are ruining what should be a smart corner of the Knightwood Estate at Valley Park.

They claim that pleas to developer Redrow Homes to clean up the open spaces around their homes have fallen on stoney ground.

People who bought homes when the estate was built four years ago say they were promised that the developers would look after the communal areas.

Andrew Martyn, 35, of Morgan Le Fey Drive, said: "In our deeds it says that the developers are responsible for maintaining these green areas, but nothing is being done. This is a fantastic estate to live on but its appearance is being ruined because hedgerows and other grassed area are not being maintained properly.

"What we are saying is that enough is enough and we want it tidied up."

Morgan Sheppard, 33, of nearby Silverwood Close, said: "I have been trying to get something done for the past three years. They come out and take photographs but nothing gets done."

Ward councillor Alan Dowden has called on Test Valley Council to force Redrow Homes to take action.

He said: "It seems that some developers are not carrying out their responsibilities to maintain these green areas. I am disappointed and appalled that this is not happening.

"Once the areas are brought up to scratch then they can be adopted by the local authority."

A Test Valley Council spokesman said: "The council is pursuing the issues raised by Cllr Dowden and hopes that the developer will recognise that these matters need to be resolved without further delay."

In a statement, Redrow Homes (Southern) said: "A member of our technical department has already met on site with landscape officers from Test Valley Borough Council who inspected each landscaped area at the development and identified where remedial work needed to be carried out.

"It was agreed that we would complete the work prior to Christmas and it is hoped that the council will carry out maintenance for a one-year period for a fee which would be paid by Redrow.

"Following completion of the maintenance period, the council should assume responsibility for future upkeep."

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