Councillor slams builder over unfinished work

Cllr Chris Vobe

A COUNCILLOR has called on developers to “fulfil their obligations” following completion of a housing estate on a former wartime camp site at Croft, Warrington.
Cllr Chris Vobe, a member of Warrington Borough Council and Croft Parish Council, says developers Elan Homes must “get their act together” and deliver on promises they made before completing the estate off Lady Lane.
He said: “It is not acceptable for them to ignore the surrounding community now that their development is complete.
“We want to see the village environment kept at a high standard and I will be holding the developers to account in this regard.”
Elan Homes recently completed work on the Gosling Park Estate but a number of residents have complained that work has been left undone.
Cllr Vobe said: “I am very strongly supporting residents on Lady Lane, Emerald Drive and Latona Close, who have put up with a great deal of disruption whilst Elan Homes have developed their new estate.
“We warmly welcome the new residents on the former HMS Gosling site to our village community and we are sure that they will find that the village has a great deal to offer.
“However, now that development is complete, Elan Homes have outstanding obligations which they must fulfil. A large section of the pavement on Lady Lane has been dug up during the construction and hasn’t been relayed – it looks a disgrace.
“This is a very-well used route through the village and pedestrians are currently having to struggle across rough stones where tarmac should rest.
“There is a large section of open space between the new housing development and existing properties on the lane. This is overgrown with shrubbery and Himalayan weeds.
There is no sign of any swift action on the part of Elan Homes in removing this unsightly overgrowth.
“On the new housing estate itself, part of the public footpath has been uprooted and cones laid around the kerb. It has simply been left like this for weeks on end with no sign of any reinstatement work.
“Finally, the council have been assured that the developers will bear the cost for the resurfacing of Lady Lane from Emerald Drive to the junction with Mustard Lane.
“This will be crucial in helping us to address long standing highway maintenance issues which have been heightened by construction vehicles’ heavy use of the road.”
A spokesperson for Elan Homes said: “Contractors are scheduled to complete all outstanding finishing works to roads and footpaths at Gosling Park in Croft within the next few weeks. This work will include any resurfacing of Lady Lane that is stipulated in a legal agreement with Warrington Borough Council. Work on the treatment of Himalayan weeds is ongoing and is being undertaken in accordance with the long term management plan required by the planning permission. We apologise for any inconvenience caused during the completion of these works.”