Dream home hopes turn to nightmare
A Bishop's Castle resident who thought he had found his dream home says it has proved to be a nightmare after developers disappeared and left his property on what is effectively a building site.
Bernard Kavanagh is just one of a number of homeowners who wake up every morning to the sight of scaffolding and plastic sheeting at The Wintles, after Living Villages, the company behind the nationally famous eco-village, went bust.
Mr Kavanagh, who has lived in his home at the flagship eco-development for two and a half years, said right from the start none of the residents really knew what was happening with the construction.
"A nightmare is an understatement. I say to my friends, if I wanted to live in a graveyard I could not have chosen a better one."
He had hoped to spend some years living at The Wintles, but says he has now decided to move.
Mr Kavanagh spoke out after it was disclosed that Living Villages had gone into liquidation, leaving half-finished buildings and would-be buyers with untouchable deposits.
Now GVA Grimley Ltd, who were appointed receivers for the company, have stepped in to try to sell the development as a going concern.
Simon Hammond, chairman of the Wintles Residents' Association, said 20 houses had been completed, nine were currently under construction, and there were plans for another 11 when the workmen left the site last July.
The Living Villages website says prices range from about £300,000 up to £585,000. Julian and Chris Symondson also spoke of their experiences living on the half-finished site.
Mr Symondson described the situation as a bit of a nuisance for them, but said it was far worse for prospective purchasers who have put down a deposit on a half-built home.
GVA Grimley Ltd national public relations manager Lawrence Hall said: "We are in contact and liaising directly with all parties who have paid a deposit."
By Sophie Bignall
