Developer left estate unfinished, councillors say

5 hours ago

Marcus WhiteSouth of England

Cala Homes said it was committed to completing the development to a high standard

Emily Young Temporary wire fences surround a large puddle on a muddy bridge over a watercourse. — Cala Homes said it was committed to completing the development to a high standard

A developer has built a housing estate without delivering promised extras, councillors have said.

Cala Homes built 220 homes on the site of the former Alton Brewery in Hampshire after winning planning permission in 2020.

However, it has not completed the development and has left some elements in an "unacceptable condition", according to members of East Hampshire District Council.

The firm said it was waiting for the council and the Environment Agency to approve revised plans for riverside work and play equipment.

The former Molson Coors brewery closed in May 2015 with the loss of more than 100 jobs after losing a contract with Heineken.

Cala Homes promised to create a landscaped path beside the River Wey, which runs through the site.

It also agreed to provide play equipment before the 160th home was occupied.

The developer previously published an artist's impression of a new riverside walk

Cala Homes An artist's impression shows a river bordered by a curved path with an ornate fence. There are mature trees and other greenery. Blocks of flats stand near a pedestrian bridge over the water. — The developer previously published an artist's impression of a new riverside walk

This is how the area looked on 27 October

Emily Young A photo on 27.10.26 apparently shows the same area as in the artist's impression above. The watercourse is overgrown and resembles a ditch. It is bordered by a simple wooden fence on one side and temporary wire fencing on the other. Metal fences also surround a bridge. There is a path and blocks of flats. — This is how the area looked on 27 October

Councillor Angela Glass, in charge of regulation and enforcement, said she shared "residents' frustration" about the work.

The Conservative said: "Residents were entitled to expect a development completed to a high standard.

"It is therefore deeply disappointing that parts of the site remain unfinished and elements of the work have been left in an unacceptable condition."

Councillor Emily Young said the missing parts included riverside landscaping, a pedestrianised bridge, play equipment and a heritage trail.

The Liberal Democrat posted on Facebook that Cala Homes had left the site earlier this year.

She said: "I understand how frustrating it is for residents living alongside an unfinished site. I will continue pushing for clarity about when this outstanding work will be delivered."

The riverside walk was also pictured on perimeter boards during construction in 2023

Google Google Street View image from May 2023 showing a board on the perimeter of the construction site, with the words Rivermead Gardens, Cala and an artist's impression of people walking along a path bordered by greenery. — The riverside walk was also pictured on perimeter boards during construction in 2023

A spokesperson for Cala Homes said: "We remain committed to completing the communal areas at our Rivermead Gardens development to a high standard.

"During the course of construction, changes became necessary and required us to revise elements of our plans and submit an updated Flood Risk Activity Permit (FRAP) application to the Environment Agency (EA) for works within the riverside area, including the heritage trail.

"We are now in the final stages of the approval process, having received feedback from the EA last week, and are ready to commence works as soon as consent is granted.

"We have also reviewed and submitted a revised proposal for the play equipment to improve the original plan.

"We will continue working closely with all relevant partners to finalise these works as quickly as possible and thank residents for their patience and understanding as we progress to completion."