These pictures show the appalling state of a new housing estate in Nottingham where a children's play park stands unfinished two years after homeowners moved in. The developer has now stated work is set to commence in the next few weeks but one local councillor says he will "not hold my breath".
The Martin's Reach Estate, off Russell Drive in Wollaton, was approved in 2019 despite 5,000 objections and still to this day it is plagued with problems. Homeowners began moving into homes costing upwards of £600,000 two years ago but roads, pavements and a play park have been left in a "treacherous" and unfinished state.
Developer Avant Homes managed to secure planning permission by overturning a rejection through the Government's Planning Inspectorate. Residents have been displeased with a lack of communication about the works which are yet to be started.
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One resident of the estate, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "Some people have paid £600,000 on their dream home but it’s like living on a building site, it’s a nightmare that never ends. Avant don’t give a monkey’s.
"Some of the roads and pavements are unusable, the play area is fenced off and there are cables and debris all over the place. The houses are lovely and all built to a good spec but if you want to walk or drive around the estate then you can forget it.
"I know someone who wrecked their new car on the potholes and one delivery driver refused to risk taking their truck down the road. It's a shambles."
Another mum, who asked not to be named, added: “I have had no communication with Avant whatsoever. A couple of weeks ago I saw some official looking men in hi-visibility jackets and clipboards walking around the estate.
“I walked over and asked them if they were from the developers and they said they were coming up with a price to sort the roads. All I could think was ‘are they only at that point?’ The road is literally disintegrating beneath your feet.
“People living here fear that Avant are deliberately delaying doing anything because they know it’s going to cost them.”
An Avant Homes spokeswoman told Nottinghamshire Live: “We are currently in discussions with our contractors to progress the remaining works at our Martin’s Reach development.
"These include the allotments, resurfacing of roads and pavements, and footpath surfacing in the play park. These final works are due to commence in the coming weeks and will be completed in accordance with the obligations outlined in the approved planning permission.”
