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Linden homes
ben_m_g
Posts: 410 Forumite
Not much we can do about this. But something to consider if you are looking at a new house (especially with linden homes).
We brought our house two years ago through linden homes, we love our house and have made it our own, even the price seemed reasonable for a new build.
Even better the area was brand new, and the planning showed a great area about to be developed in to a family friendly environment. (Billboards where everywhere of families at play, the planning showed several parks and a bus route etc etc etc)
Having moved from the worst area in the city (crime, council property etc) to potentially an area with play parks, bus routes, a new school, a lake and shops seemed to be exactly what we where looking for, of course we brought it and planned to settle in.
6 months later, no sign of any family area development, frequent talks with the sales guys told us that everything is going to plan and the expect the parks to be open soon.
1 year later, after constant badgering the sales guys and the head office told us there had been setbacks, but the areas for parks have been cordoned off, ready for development.
1 year 2 months, housing started to be built on the "play area" the site office told us that there was still going to be parks but couldn't tell us where. The sales office refused to give a straight answer, the head office told us that the plan had be changed, and that was approved by the council. Only when we finally got hold of someone at the council where we told that there will be no parks, the builders have paid off the council and are now putting the money into a park that is attached to a council estate.
1 year 6 months, no movement on any front, sales guys refuse to answer site office refuse to answer, head office refuse to answer. We find out that the lake will be .... more houses.
2 years later, linden homes are wrapping up operations without putting in a single promised amenity.
I feel lied to, plans do change but we though we where getting a little community. A school will have to be placed on site due to planning regulations but, nothing else.
We brought our house two years ago through linden homes, we love our house and have made it our own, even the price seemed reasonable for a new build.
Even better the area was brand new, and the planning showed a great area about to be developed in to a family friendly environment. (Billboards where everywhere of families at play, the planning showed several parks and a bus route etc etc etc)
Having moved from the worst area in the city (crime, council property etc) to potentially an area with play parks, bus routes, a new school, a lake and shops seemed to be exactly what we where looking for, of course we brought it and planned to settle in.
6 months later, no sign of any family area development, frequent talks with the sales guys told us that everything is going to plan and the expect the parks to be open soon.
1 year later, after constant badgering the sales guys and the head office told us there had been setbacks, but the areas for parks have been cordoned off, ready for development.
1 year 2 months, housing started to be built on the "play area" the site office told us that there was still going to be parks but couldn't tell us where. The sales office refused to give a straight answer, the head office told us that the plan had be changed, and that was approved by the council. Only when we finally got hold of someone at the council where we told that there will be no parks, the builders have paid off the council and are now putting the money into a park that is attached to a council estate.
1 year 6 months, no movement on any front, sales guys refuse to answer site office refuse to answer, head office refuse to answer. We find out that the lake will be .... more houses.
2 years later, linden homes are wrapping up operations without putting in a single promised amenity.
I feel lied to, plans do change but we though we where getting a little community. A school will have to be placed on site due to planning regulations but, nothing else.
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Comments
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What do you mean the builders have paid off the council?0
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Keep an eye on all future planning applications or consultations and attend meetings. Maybe form a protest group.0
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I'm late back on the topic, apologies.
When a new area is built the council and builders have some sort of compromise, x number of play areas / green space, amenities and schools.
Some have to be built for every X number of houses built.
The builders promised to build three play areas, had them drawn up and approved planning.
Instead the built houses on top of the designated areas.
How they got away with it?
A donation/funding to the council to improve a play area in another housing estate.
Terrible idea, stupid and dangerous.
You have to cross busy road without crossings, dark unlit areas and totally impractical.0 -
A similar thing happened with our estate ... there was a play park shown on the plan, but it never happened. (Not that this was a show-stopper for us).0
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This raises an interesting point. You say the site was advertised to include park, lake etc. I wonder if it could be argued that the sale of the house does not meet the sale of goods act in so much that the "deal " is not as described.
However I bet the builder would argue that the "sale" related only to the house and that the billboards were only illustrations and not included in the contract you signed.
Whilst I can see your view I fear that you would need to seek legal advice before you could challenge the builder and that would be expensive.
With regard to the builder buying off the council, this is common with all new builds these days, in this area we have been provided with some much needed roads and parks paid for by the builder of new housing .0 -
However I bet the builder would argue that the "sale" related only to the house and that the billboards were only illustrations and not included in the contract you signed.
The conversations where pretty much this, despite several plans made and displayed on site, despite sales people lying repeatedly, we have no legal point to stand on.
Linden homes state that "plans can change", "illustration only" etc etc etc.
Very poor service from a company that only wants as many houses they can cram on to a site.0 -
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While I agree for the vast majority, I think some companies are better than others.
We have looked at a few builders in our search and found that there is a difference, some squeeze every last square foot into more houses.
But we did see a few established developments that had parks and shops etc.
Initially our development looked great, large green spaces, promises of amenities etc.
Next time I think we will look more established areas where companies have followed through with there promises.0
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