Building giant says sorry to families for crumbling homes

ONE of Britain’s biggest house builders has apologised to families over ‘shoddy materials’ used in its properties.

Homeowners have been waging a twoyear battle against Taylor Wimpey over ‘defects’ caused by crumbling cement.

Problems at the Kingsmeadows estate in Peebles emerged in 2013 and the development was later identified as a site where inferior mortar had been used.

Homeowners were left baffled as neighbours upped sticks, with no obvious signs of a sale having taken place.

They later learned that the developer had bought back ‘several’ homes after faults were identified. Non-disclosure agreements are said to have been signed to deter people from openly discussing the sales.

Seven families have been affected but Taylor Wimpey has now started work improving all 130 homes on the estate.

A company spokesman said: ‘We sincerely apologise to the affected homeowners.

‘While a significant number of houses are unaffected by mortar issues, a robust technical solution to fix the durability of the mortar has been identified.

‘It is supported by our appointed structural engineer, an independent review by Scottish Borders Council and the National House Building Council.’