THE developer behind a 143-home estate on the former Royston High School site has been blasted for leaving it unfinished - more than two years after residents moved in.
Persimmon Homes’ Scholars Gate development has been branded as the ‘worst new estate in Barnsley’ by residents this week, who say they are fed up of being fobbed off about concerns with bubbling plaster, flaking paint and unfinished footpaths.
But Danielle Wheeldon, who lives on Shepherd’s Way, said the site’s appearance was the tip of the iceberg and claimed the developer is now threatening to take back a metre from each garden on the street to put in a cycle path.
Danielle said: “We have been treated appallingly by this well-known company and left with an estate that has been unfinished and left unsafe.
“Potholes and dangerous paths that have been left without Tarmac cause great concern for pedestrians.
“There are a number of residents who have been affected by an ongoing battle with Persimmon, regarding the incorrect placing of paths and boundaries on the Scholars Gate site, resulting in residents, including myself, being forced to enter into a major dispute with them.
“All of this among many personal disputes with them is making living on the estate an increasing concern. There’s no empathy or interest at all from the senior members of Persimmon as to the welfare or rights of its residents, despite our ongoing complaints.
“Their professional negligence and complete disregard for their customers has resulted in numerous residents feeling threatened and without a voice, due to the massive costs involved in entering into a legal dispute with them.”
Neighbour Michelle Ementon added: “It’s been an absolute nightmare - we have had no end of problems since moving in two years ago. We are at the point where we are sick of raising issues, yet nothing is done.
“Nobody was aware about the cycle path when contracts were signed but we are determined to fight it. Had I have known about it bordering my property, I would not have bought it.”
Retired Dennis Ruslyn, who lives with his wife Sylvia on Common Lane which is adjacent to the estate, has lived in his home for 41 years and is seeking compensation from Persimmon because of the damage caused to his property.
“Our house is right next to the development and there’s a path which separates us. What with all the digging they have done, it’s caused cracks to appear in my home and something has to be done about that.
“We have lived here for years and never once had a problem, until Persimmon started work a few years ago. We’ve endured constant vibration, dust and noise for a housing estate we should have had nothing to do with.
“We are not a customer of Persimmon and we should not have been affected, but here we are with cracks in our living room wall.”
Paul Thornton, planning manager at Persimmon Homes, told the Chronicle the firm is working through residents’ complaints.
“We are aware of a number of issues raised by our customers and we are working with them to resolve their concerns.”
