News

Sparks fly in row over power supply

NIGHTMARE: Simon Makinson and his three-year-old son Hugo with neighbour Neil Steele next to a unit housing the generators

NEIGHBOURS on a new estate say they are sick of living with noise and air pollution from the generators which have been supplying their homes with electricity for five months.

Neil Steele, 25, moved into his property in Langwood Gardens, part of the new development at Grane Mill in Haslingden, in July. He was told by developers Redrow Homes that the generators would be temporary.

He said: ‘We have to suffer diesel fumes which means we can’t have windows open; if I leave the door open too long the smoke alarm goes off. My lawn has also been damaged.

‘But the main problem is that there is just no reasoning with Redrow.

‘We appreciate the problem may not be their fault, but they have never offered us an apology or even kept us informed of what is going on.’

Simon Makinson, 31, has a three-year-old son Hugo, whose bedroom overlooks the generators. He said his son could not play in the garden because of holes caused by the installation of the generators.

He said: ‘Redrow pass the blame onto a third party, but we bought the houses from them so they should sort it out.

‘They have given us a date now of 1 December for when they will be removed, but with a massive disclaimer that it’s not definite. We suffer power cuts, and the generators need servicing every two weeks – if we are in, then we can be without electricity for up to an hour.

‘Several times it has just cut out unexpectedly; it’s not very good when you have got kids.’

Mr Steele said that he suffered problems with Redrow even before the generator row, including not being kept informed about changes to his home’s completion date.

‘What has really got my back up is that Redrow says it does not pay compensation, but it doesn’t work like that.

‘I have been fair with them – we just want something as a gesture and an apology.

‘Initially we were told that we will be reimbursed for any quantifiable loss which we can prove, but how do you quantify noise and air pollution?

‘They treat us like freeloaders because we are not paying for the supply, but I would rather pay than have to put up with all the downsides.’

A Redrow spokeswoman said all customers were made aware of the temporary supply before legal completion.

She said: ‘The generators are housed in a safe, contained locked unit, are noise-efficient and serviced regularly to ensure efficient running.

‘We are assured by the service provider that the issue will be resolved in the next few weeks.’