RESIDENTS are enduring a nightmare on a new housing development.

Householders at High Banks in Silsden say a long list of problems – inside and outside their homes – has been left unresolved by the company behind the scheme.

Complaints range from cracks in walls to unfinished landscaping.

And the state of the road has come under fire.

Developer Harron Homes Yorkshire told the Keighley News that difficulties caused by the pandemic meant the site "has not been finished as we had hoped", but that it was working with relevant authorities to address issues as quickly as possible.

Craven ward district councillor Rebecca Whitaker has taken-up the residents' cause.

"I have been to speak to some residents after being contacted by them regarding a number of issues," she said.

"I am extremely concerned to hear about the numerous snagging complaints which remain outstanding, both in their houses and gardens. It all sounds horrendous.

"One resident told me they are still waiting for their garden to be landscaped and as it has remained outstanding for so long, they had started to do some of the work themselves.

"I was quite shocked when I saw the state of the road, particularly at the bottom end of the cul-de-sac. You expect a certain amount of disruption with any new housing estate, but to have not progressed at all in recent months isn't good enough – especially when the last house was completed over a year ago. There are several large metal sheets ‘covering’ holes in the road, although I use the word 'covering' loosely as some of the holes are exposed."

Councillor Whitaker said she had contacted senior Bradford Council planning and highways officers to see what action could be taken with Harron Homes to resolve issues. And she has been in touch with the building control department.

The matter has also been raised with MP Robbie Moore.

He said: "From the state of the main road to 'snags' which are not being fixed – alongside a general lack of communication from the company – the complaints about Harron Homes' High Banks development in Silsden keep on growing.

"This situation is not acceptable or fair for people who bought these homes in good faith. I am working with Councillor Whitaker to help find a solution and have written to the managing director of Harron to request an urgent meeting.

"Should the current situation not be resolved, I will be speaking to the Secretary of State for Housing to discuss with him what further measures the Government can take to hold developers to account for broken promises and assurances when new housebuilding takes place.”

Among the affected residents is Jason Rigby, who moved into a three-bedroom semi with girlfriend Charlotte a year ago. The couple are expecting their first child next month.

"Buying our first house together as you would expect we were filled with excitement," said Jason, 40, a business development manager.

"A few issues became apparent – such as an unplumbed dishwasher, broken toilet seat and insecure cooker – and some of these we got sorted, with persistent chasing of the site manager.

"But 12 months on we still have a list of jobs outstanding, with only one being done since October last year.

"We now have creaking floorboards and a large crack in an external wall.

"All workers have left, the road is unfinished and everyone on the site has issues still to be sorted – with some people having been waiting for over two years."

A spokesperson for Harron Homes Yorkshire said: "The handover of homes at The Banks occurred during an incredibly difficult period, with restrictions on access being imposed due to the pandemic.

"We are currently in discussions with the local authority and have appointed a contractor to carry out the necessary finishing works. The nature of the remedial works requires careful consideration as there will be disruption to customers which we will need to manage and properly communicate.

"The site has not been finished as we had hoped due to these unprecedented circumstances and we would like to reassure our customers that we are working with the relevant authorities to progress matters as soon as we can."