New-Build Housing Estate Remains Unfinished One Year Past Completion Date

Residents of New Housing Estate Demand Answers as Construction Delays Drag On

Families living on the Hollington Grange estate in Stoke-on-Trent are growing increasingly frustrated as their housing development remains incomplete nearly a year after it was expected to be finished. What was promised as a modern, family-friendly neighborhood is now marred by unfinished roads, broken pavements, inadequate drainage, and an inaccessible playground.

Residents claim they were assured by developer Keepmoat that construction would wrap up by the end of summer 2024. However, months have passed with little visible progress. Some homeowners say they’ve been forced to spend thousands of pounds addressing drainage problems themselves, while others have raised concerns about safety hazards for children due to uneven edging and incomplete sidewalks.

A Community in Limbo

Bruno Nunes, 42, moved into the estate last March. He admitted knowing the site was still under construction when he relocated but was led to believe work would be completed by late summer. “We started asking questions around October,” he said. “Each time we reached out, we got pushed back—first December, then February, then spring.”

Nunes also noted that maintenance fees were being collected despite essential infrastructure like streetlights not functioning during winter. “I spent £3,000 fixing my garden drainage because no one else was going to do it,” he added. “The houses themselves are fine, but the lack of communication and accountability has been frustrating.”

Don Jose, 40, another resident living with his wife and two children, echoed similar sentiments. He described the condition of the roadways as dangerous for young kids and criticized the unopened play area. “I had to finish my own garden because nothing was done,” he said. “The last email I got said everything would be done by the end of February. It wasn’t.”

Safety and Maintenance Concerns

Kate Marriott, 26, who moved in last October, reported multiple issues with her home—including having to replace her bathtub three times. She also cited damage to her car windshield from navigating poorly maintained curbs throughout the winter. “I just want proper pavements and a functional driveway,” she said. “And the fenced-off playground is attracting anti-social behavior.”

Indeed, reports of vandalism and misuse around the closed-off play area have increased tensions within the community. Parents feel children are at risk without access to safe recreational space, while property values remain uncertain due to the ongoing disarray.

Developer Responds

In response to mounting complaints, Keepmoat issued a statement indicating that road improvements should be completed within weeks. The company also confirmed it has engaged consultants to investigate drainage concerns and that the playground is awaiting final approval from RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents).

Peter Barlow, regional managing director at Keepmoat North West, said: “Keepmoat is working closely with residents to address their concerns and has set a timeline for contractors to complete the road improvements within weeks. The playpark area has been finished, pending final RoSPA certification, and we are consulting with specialists to identify the cause of the reported drainage issues.”

He continued, “Keepmoat is committed to creating developments that foster thriving communities, and we will continue to support residents to ensure the improvements at Hollington Grange meet our high standards.”

Despite these assurances, many residents remain skeptical. They are calling for transparency, timely action, and full completion of the development they were originally promised. For now, families continue to live in uncertainty, hoping for resolution soon.