Teesside’s new-build nightmares: ‘Burping’ bog, sewage ‘gushing’ in bath and ‘dust-covered cars’
As the year comes to a close, many families will be enjoying their first Christmas in their homes.
New-build houses continue to prove popular across the region, providing buyers with a blank canvas to create their perfect new abode. However, while some move into their new builds without issue[1], others are swamped with snagging issues and delays - turning their lives into a nightmare.
For years, Teesside Live has covered a range[2] of new-build nightmare tales - and 2023 has been no different. From "nightmare" landscaping leaving residents "unable to see out the front room windows" to drain issues that left one woman with sewage "gushing" into her bath. Here's a round-up of some of our top nightmare new-build stories this year.
Drain hell with 'burping' bog and sewage 'gushing' into bath
Carmen Laws decided to move into a new-build home at Elderwood Park, in Hemlington[3], with her family back in 2018. But it only took six months for drain problems to make themselves known - leading to one of the most horrific new build nightmares of the year.
Carmen said her garden "smells to high heaven" (Image: Carmen Laws)
The mum-of-two spoke to Teesside Live back in June[4] about her "continuous battle" with developer Taylor Wimpey. She said the drain issues were so bad that she feared having guests over to visit due to a lingering stench in her garden - with horrific photos showing the state of some of Carmen's drains.
The Middlesbrough resident said she first reported the issue when her drain started overflowing, but problems were persisting four and a half years later. One of the worst incidents allegedly happened to Carmen's teenage daughter, when sewage came "gushing" into the bath after she pulled the plug in October 2022.
Carmen said this happened again earlier in 2023, claiming she notified the developer but that they could not send anyone out until two days later. She paid someone to fix the issue - and the developer agreed to refund this. She then went on to raise concerns about the health of her children living in the home.
Carmen said she has been "back and forth" with Taylor Wimpey- even claiming that she was told she was "imagining" the issue.
A Taylor Wimpey spokesperson said: “We are committed to providing homes and customer service to the very highest standard, and we apologise to the customer for falling short of our expectations on this occasion. As soon as we were made aware of the issue, we acted quickly to engage expert engineers and contractors to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the drainage system.
“The latest investigation was carried out in May 2023 to help identify the exact cause of the issue. Depending on the outcome of the findings into these investigations we are currently scheduled to undertake a full program of works in late July 2023. We are committed to resolving the issue at the earliest opportunity and remain in close contact with the customer. ”
4am noise woes and cars 'covered in dust' near new-build estate
In a spin on the classic new-build nightmare story, Teesside Live spoke with a resident living near the new Acklam[5] Gardens development in Whinney Banks[6], who complained that the site is an "utter nightmare".
Construction on the Acklam Gardens estate, in Middlesbrough (Image: UGC Gary Armstrong)
Gary Armstrong, 48, said construction traffic was plaguing the nearby streets[7], claiming that dirt from the site has left his campervan and car "covered in thick dust". The 48-year-old said he felt like he was "living in a hell hole".
The Sunderland-born man said Gleeson Homes was planning on putting an alternative access road in for construction traffic but that it was yet to come to fruition. A spokesperson for the developer said it was "carefully investigating" the issues brought forward and confirmed the site access entrance was being relocated.[8]
Gary also claimed that deliveries were coming as early as 4am on a Sunday - with the sound of rattling gates waking up neighbours.
He said: "They opened the central as an access point for lorries. Six days a week, lorries are coming in - sometimes as early as 4am in the morning. They are coming at 4am on a Sunday to deliver cement for the Monday morning, and are opening the gates with a spanner. There is no concern for residents, it's ridiculous."
A Gleeson Homes spokesperson said it remains "committed to benefitting the local communities in the areas where we operate."
Overgrown land leaves couple 'unable to see out of front room windows'
A couple living on a Middlesbrough[9] estate opened up to Teesside Live earlier this year about their "absolute nightmare" after an overgrown landscape nearby left them "unable to see out of front room windows."
The SUDS basin at Brookland Park and (inset) how the land looked overgrown earlier this year (Image: Teesside Live/UGC)
The 30-year-old, who wished to remain anonymous, bought their home at Brookland Park, in Acklam[10], in April 2022. At the time, they said there was "lots" of landscaping yet to be done - with the worst area being just metres from their home and driveway.
The woman hit out at Miller Homes - saying she "pushed and pushed" them for updates[11]. She claimed she had been told by the developer since summer 2022 that it would take just "a few weeks" to be sorted.
Miller Homes[12] told Teesside Live that it had to change contractors to deliver the landscaping to its expected standards. A new landscaper was identified by this took "slightly longer than anticipated" - and this, combined with "unseasonably warm" temperatures, put a roadblock in the way of activity getting started.
The resident said she thought the situation was "absolutely ridiculous" - saying she was "fed up" with having to ask for updates. She even went as far as to say that they felt they'd be waiting "five or six years if we didn't chase it."
The developer said it was "committed to providing customers with regular updates" and has "provided regular updates" to Brookland Park homeowners. They said in November that work had now been instructed.
Parents 'daren't let kids play out' over knee rail
A fence row erupted in Stockton[13] this year between residents and Taylor Wimpey after raised concerns over the height of a fence near a busy road at the new Hartburn[14] Grange estate.
The knee rail fence at Hartburn Grange and (inset) the temporary tall fence that was erected by developer Taylor Wimpey to provide a visual barrier between the estate and roadworks (Image: UGC Becci Still)
The new-build development, just off Yarm[15] Back Lane, is located just near the busy Elton[16] Interchange. Works have been ongoing at the busy crossing for a number of months - and in the meantime, those living on the estate have had a 1.8m fence to block out the view.
A Taylor Wimpey spokesperson said the fence was only put up as a "temporary measure" to act as a visual barrier blocking the roadworks. They said it was always due to be replaced with a permanent knee rail, once the roadworks were complete.
Resident Becci Still, 35, claimed she only found out the knee rail would be installed after she had already paid the 5% deposit on her home and signed all the documents. She then raised concerns over the safety of children[17] - saying it was "imperative."
What the fence looks like from the roadworks (Image: UGC Becci Still)
Becci even posted on Facebook[18], arguing: "What is stopping a car from hitting them if it loses control? What is stopping any road sense leaving their brains to chase after their favorite ball that's just rolled into this busy road!? Have you met my real-life Spider-man son?"
Becci's neighbour Sophie agreed, describing how the homes are "so close to the road" that it presents a safety issue. Similarly, fellow resident Gordo, who has five grandchildren, said the area in front of the homes is "too open."
Taylor Wimpey said a new hedge was due to be planted behind the knee rail fence back in October. It said it was "sorry" to hear that some customers were unhappy with the replacement of the fences - adding that "safety of residents is our priority."
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References
- ^ move into their new builds without issue (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Teesside Live has covered a range (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Hemlington (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ spoke to Teesside Live back in June (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Acklam (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Whinney Banks (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ construction traffic was plaguing the nearby streets (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Gleeson Homes (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Middlesbrough (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Acklam (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ "pushed and pushed" them for updates (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Miller Homes (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Stockton (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Hartburn (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Yarm (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Elton (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ raised concerns over the safety of children (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Facebook (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ click this link and select 'Join Community (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ Teesside Live (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ can read our Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)
- ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp community (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ go here (www.gazettelive.co.uk)