Residents’ anger over ‘ruined grass verges’
Neighbours hit out at firm building 12 new homes
RESIDENTS have hit out at a developer which they have accused of ‘ruining grass verges, blocking the road and leaving the area in a mess’ while building new homes.
Hollins Homes has been putting up 12 properties at the site of the former Hurdsfield Centre, on Nicholson Close, Macclesfield, since late 2022.
During this time residents – many of whom live in bungalows for elderly or disabled people – have had numerous complaints.
They say large lorries, too big for the narrow close, have churned up previously wellmaintained verges, leaving the area muddy and hazardous.
They also claim the vehicles have also blocked the close meaning residents cannot get in and out, sometimes when trying to make medical
appointments. Residents also say that standing water has been left on the road and there are claims trees and a boundary fence have been removed, despite requests for them to be left.
A Hollins Homes spokesman acknowledge that the development ‘has had a few constraints’ and said they had done their best to mitigate where possible.
Hurdsfield councillor Sarah Bennett-Wake, who has been helping residents with their concerns, said: “Grass verges are continually destroyed making the area muddy and dangerous for older residents and those with disabilities, one resident fell out of their wheelchair.
“They have told me works start at 6.30am and they have been blocked in by lorries when trying to get to medical appointments.
“I quite understand the
development is not yet complete however the road is still a mess. I would like written reassurance that everything will be put right at the end of the build.”
Although Hollins Homes did try and address the verges by putting stone down, Coun Bennett-Wake says this was requested in November and happened in February. The new homes are three lots of four terraces that are two-anda-half stories tall so ‘tower over’ existing bungalows.
But a report submitted with the development’s planning application in 2019 described it as ‘much needed housing is a sustainable location’ that would be ‘sympathetic in scale and massing to that of the surrounding properties’.
It is also redeveloping a brownfield site as the once popular Hurdsfield Centre had been closed for several years.
Coun Bennett-Wake
believes the development is nearing an end but that it was originally due to be finished in late 2023.
A Hollins Homes spokesman said: “We acknowledge that the development has had a few constraints in the construction process which we have done our best to mitigate where possible.
“We have worked with residents and been in communication through our site team who have always been on hand to discuss anything with them.
“Access into the development is challenging with residents parking on nearby highways verges.
“We have discussed with the local authority about the verges on Nicholson Close and have provided stoned areas as a temporary solution before reinstating them to their original soft verges upon completion of the scheme.
“With the anticipated completion
being the end of April there will be fewer larger vehicles requiring access to the development.
“We have provided road sweepers weekly on Nicholson Close and will continue to do so until completion.
“We are forming the boundaries of properties by replacing palisade fencing with close boarded fencing in line with the planning drawings.
“Import of soil has been required per planning conditions and engineers reports and whilst this has been ongoing it has led to some pooling of water there has not been a culvert in the vicinity of the development, nevertheless this will mitigate itself once the rear gardens are established.
“We are committed to providing a development of a high standard of build and appearance once completed, that will leave a positive impact within the Macclesfield area.”.