RESIDENTS are fuming after their picturesque village was ruined by newbuild nightmare “ghost” homes left to rot for years.
The row of six terraced houses on a former pub car park in Bollington, Cheshire have been left vacant since they came on the market in 2020.
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Now the homes are “falling apart”, with mould spreading and their ceilings caving in.
Cheshire Acres, the company which originally owned the site, went into liquidation after the homes were built.
No potential buyers have been to see the new-builds since they were taken over by new owner Moorfields Corporate Recovery.
One resident told CheshireLive: “They’re all pretty much falling apart.
“The ceilings have come down in two of them, and three of them are plagued by mould.
“There’s suspected subsidence with them. The only one that’s in any sort of decent condition is the show house.
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“It’s mired in quite a lot of controversy. The houses were owned by different firms that went bust.”
Locals said that that problems with building regulations and insurance claims against flooding had stopped anyone moving into the new-build homes.
Councillor Ken Edwards said that the houses had been “quite severely” damaged by flooding – and that the “blight on the landscape” should never have been given planning permission.
He said: “Newbuilds in a conservation area are supposed to enhance the area, but these houses have done exactly the opposite in every possible aspect.
“It’s a blight on the landscape. Residents have had tremendous problems during the construction phase with lorries, mud all over the road and parking.
He added: “It was a tip for a very long period of time. They’re concerned about asbestos and contamination issues that may emerge from building on an old rubbish heap.
“Residents are also concerned that when these houses are eventually occupied, they’re going to add to the parking problem.”
“They are the most modest of buildings, and can only, in their position cutting out a classic view over the valley in Bollington, degrade the area. “
Cheshire East Council and Moorfields Corporate Recovery have been contacted for comment.
It comes after residents on another new-build estate said they are furious because they can’t park on their own drives.
A family were devastated after their £345,000 dream newbuild turned out to be a home from hell.
Another woman’s dream newbuild home also turned out to be a nightmare after she discovered a collection of frustrating design flaws.
What are your rights?
Your neighbours do not generally have a duty to ensure their properties are attractive or tidy – but there are exceptions.
Under sections 77 and 78 of the Building Act 1984, your local council can require the owner of a dilapidated building to take emergency action to make it safe.
Councils can also take action against potential risk to health and safety arising from deficiencies in unoccupied properties.
They can also fence off an unsecured property at risk of vandalism or arson, or in an emergency require the owner to do so themselves.
Owners can also be required to remove waste so vermin is not attracted to a site.
If a property has been empty for two years, councils can seek an Empty Property Dwelling Order to bring it back into use.
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