Our newbuild dream has become a nightmare due to massive warehouse and car park – we’ve been lied to
HOMEOWNERS have claimed that their dream newbuilds have become a nightmare as plans to buld a warehouse and car park nearby have been put forward.
Residents of a newly developed block of 528 homes on the site of the former RAF Newton, near Bingham, , are horrified by the proposals.
Under the new scheme, a warehouse is planned to cover about 3.5 acres of the site, which already houses five hangers used for distribution by several companies.
Redrow, who developed the housing there, marketed the area as a "garden village" with "rich wildlife spaces" with home starting from£259,950.
But locals now say they feel "misled" as the development could be "sandwiched" between large storage buildings.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told : "Residents have been vocal regarding these issues with the vast majority of new Redrow homeowners being completely unaware of the plans or feeling misled by Redrow’s sales team.
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"Had Redrow shared all information available to them, I feel the vast majority of buyers would have looked elsewhere.
"The existing hangars already have a negative impact upon the village landscape and the Redrow ‘garden village’ concept, which has been mis-sold to many new residents which upon completion will add over 500 new homes to the area."
Redrow said that all customers were made aware of the plans for the plot, including the commercial area that the company neither owns nor controls.
However, the resident continued: "During the home buying process Redrow explained the community master plan but failed to address the proposed commercial area until prompted.
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"They were reluctant to go into detail and assured us that the area would provide facilities for the local community such as shops."
The plans have already been revised once to reduce the size of the warehouse amid hundreds of objections.
These ranged from issues with increased pollution, higher levels of traffic and disruption to wildlife.
They were then recommended for approval at Rushclifee Borough Council's planning committee last Thursday.
It will see the new building accompanied by a service yard with space for 35 lorries and a car park capable of fitting 122 cars.
In planning documents, the council said: "Officers fully acknowledge that a building of this site is large, and that the amount of landscaping would not hide or fully conceal its mass or appearance from the surrounding area.
"Nevertheless, the site benefits from outline planning permission for this use, in this location and therefore the principle of development is already established."
Meanwhile, Michael Coker, Redrow East Midlands' Managing Director, maintained that the company had been open and honest with its customers.
He said: "As part of our reservation process all customers are made aware of the plans for the development, including the commercial area which we do not own or control.
"We appreciate concerns around parking near the development and are looking to implement a temporary traffic calming solution in the area.
“Newton Garden Village is one of our flagship developments and is bringing much needed new homes and amenities to the area.
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"This includes a contribution of £5.18 million to support the local area, including £2.35m towards local education, in addition to a community centre, allotments, and sports pitches.
He added that the company would be installing "sustainable travel links" around the area and making improvements to the existing infrastructure.
What are your rights in this situation?
If you believe your developer has not shared relevant information with you or sold a property under false pretences, you can take them to court for property misrepresentation.
If successful, you can claim for the amount that your home has decreased in value, as determined by the court.
Other faults with homes, like issues with fixtures or fittings, or complaints that building work has not finished on time are usually covered by the developers' code of conduct.
Issues can be resolved privately with the developer and insurers.
If they are not dealt with to you satisfaction, you can elevate the complaint to the independent Housing Ombudsman.