Homeowners Fight Back Against Drainage Issues at Exclusive Estate
Homeowners living on an exclusive estate in Cumbria have found themselves in a battle with a major housebuilder, claiming that poor drainage has caused significant damage to their properties. The issue has turned what was supposed to be a dream home into a source of frustration for many families.
The Edgehill Park estate, located in the Lake District, was marketed as a luxurious place to live with breathtaking views. However, residents now say that every time it rains, water floods their patios and sometimes even reaches the level of the doors. This has led to a growing sense of dissatisfaction among homeowners, who feel that the developer did not provide proper drainage systems.
One family, Dean and Rachel Hodgson, took matters into their own hands by staging a public protest outside the show home on the estate. They created a banner showing their flooded patio with the caption: “This is what our garden looks like after a small amount of rain.” Dean then attached the banner to his car and parked it outside the estate office to warn potential buyers about the issues they face.
Dean, 30, and Rachel, 25, bought their four-bedroom home for £309,000 in March. They claim that when they moved in, the garden was in a terrible condition, with standing pools of water. They asked for repairs, but the developer only provided sand to level the area, which they had to do themselves.
To prevent muddy paws from entering their home, they installed artificial turf. However, Story Homes blamed the problem on this decision, suggesting that the turf was the cause of the drainage issues. Dean insists that the real issue lies in the inadequate drainage system, which he says has worsened over time.
Other homeowners on the same estate have also faced similar problems. David Little, 60, and his wife Claire, 47, paid £380,000 for their home two years ago. They encountered issues with the garden, including improper turf installation and water pooling on the patio. After waiting for the developer to address the problem, they ended up spending £30,000 on repairs. Despite this, they still experience water buildup during heavy rain.
Georgia Davison, 27, another resident, said she bought her home during the summer when the weather was dry. However, once the wet season arrived, her garden became waterlogged, making it impossible for her children to play outside. She hired a contractor to fix the drainage issues, which cost £15,000. She also reported a foul smell coming from the drains, which she finds unacceptable for a property of this price.
Story Homes has responded to these concerns by stating that homeowners are responsible for their own drainage systems after the property is completed. In a letter to Georgia Davison, the company mentioned that the property is no longer under warranty, so they cannot inspect or fix the drainage. They also told Dean Hodgson that installing artificial turf without proper drainage infrastructure was the homeowner’s responsibility.
A spokesperson for Story Homes stated that their investigation into Dean’s property found the drainage system to be compliant with original specifications. They claimed that the weep holes in the retaining wall were functioning correctly and that no excessive water discharge was detected. The company advised Dean to contact the National House Building Council (NHBC) for further assistance.
Despite these claims, many homeowners remain unconvinced. They argue that the drainage system was never adequate to begin with and that the developer should have ensured proper drainage before selling the homes. The situation has left several families feeling betrayed and frustrated, as they continue to deal with the consequences of what they believe is a serious flaw in the development.
As the debate continues, the issue highlights the importance of thorough inspections and clear communication between developers and homeowners. For those living on the Edgehill Park estate, the dream of a peaceful, luxurious home has been overshadowed by ongoing drainage problems that seem far from resolved.