Upset residents at new Telford estate claim they're getting a sinking feeling

Angry house buyers living on a new estate claim problems with waterlogging and sinking gardens are making their lives a misery.

Resident Megan Hardy says she has never been able to use her garden

Fed up residents at the Taylor Wimpey Caddies Field development, in Wellington, say they have had enough of issues with flooded gardens, raised manhole covers and incomplete ground works since moving in more than two years ago.

But the company said rainfall capacity issues with a sewer situated, in Holyhead Road, outside the boundary of the development was to blame for the flooding.

Wiseman Crescent resident Megan Hardy says she cannot use her garden which sunk by three foot and has written emails to all the parties involved including the house builder and Severn Trent Water.

"Lots of the gardens are flooded now. I have lived here for two-and-a half years and I have never used the garden. They just fob us off every time we try to speak to them.

"We have written to the Taylor Wimpey chief executive and our MP Mark Pritchard. We have had enough.

"Some of our properties back onto the gardens of houses on Holyhead Road and since the estate was built the flooding has affected some of those people. One of them has since moved out of their house because of the problems," Ms Hardy, a teacher says.

Another resident Jean Green, 76, who lives in a property part owned with Wrekin Housing Group, says: "The subsidence is eight feet from my back door. I first noticed that the land wasn't level in April 2019 and I've been trying ever since to get it rectified.

Jean Green is worried about her sloping garden

"Due to the uneven ground I suffered a fall. I had to shout for help and my neighbour came to help me.

"I want to get my life back, get my garden looking pretty again and be able to plant vegetables. Every time I open the curtains I close my eyes because it upsets me so much. They haven't given me date as to when they will do the work."

In response Taylor Wimpey states: “We understand and appreciate the concern and frustration shown by residents at our Caddies Fields development. We have carried out a thorough investigation of the drainage system at the development and can confirm it has been installed in line with the design approved by Severn Trent Water and Telford and Wrekin Council.

“We are working with Severn Trent Water to address the issues on their network and we hope these can be resolved at the earliest opportunity. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused during this time.”

Caddies Field resident Gil(cor) Wheat looks at the condition of the road which has never been fully completed since the houses were built

The company adds that the roads at Caddies Field are expected to be completed by the end of next month.

Road surfacing work will be carried out in the next few weeks

Severn Trent says the developer was responsible for all the sewer pipes and drainage.

Wrekin Housing Group says: “We are very much aware of the issue in the garden at this property. We have been in touch with the shared owner throughout the period keeping them informed at each stage of our conversations with the developer – Taylor Wimpey.

"Works to rectify the issue were confirmed with the shared owner last Friday and weather permitting will commence later this month.”