Residents on new-build Stockton estates 'left in limbo'

This week, Stockton North MP Chris McDonald voiced the growing frustrations of Stockton residents in Parliament, proposing a “national framework of standards" for developers. 

It came after those living on several estates raised the alarm after paying council tax plus fees to private management companies for basic upkeep - despite them remaining unfinished. 

Bellway’s Queensgate estate, off Yarm Road in Low Hartburn, was one of the estates mentioned by Mr McDonald in Parliament this week. 

Stockton North MP Chris McDonald raising the issue in Parliament (Image: Chris McDonald)

The new-build site, constructed on the land of the former Visqueen plastic factory, has recently hit the headlines over the state of its unfinished roads. 

Bellway said it is “fully committed” to completing the final adoption works at Queensgate, which were delayed after the original contractor ceased trading. 

One resident of an anonymous Stockton estate told Mr McDonald: “The roads haven’t been completed in four years; the developer has relinquished responsibility and accountability for the work. Residents feel they were mis-sold their contracts.”

Bellway's Queensgate estate in 2017 (Image: GOOGLE)

Mr McDonald argued that these residents should not be “left in limbo,” paying for roads, streetlights, and other basic amenities not yet at “an acceptable standard”.

He said: “I have areas in Stockton North where places like Willow Sage Court and Queensgate suffer with unfinished roads, a lack of facilities, and high maintenance charges. 

"I wonder if the Minister would agree that we should have a national framework of standards for private developers, but also sanctions that can be put in place when the developers don't deliver."

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook echoed McDonald’s concerns, saying the Government was considering new measures: “We will absolutely be considering the recommendation the CMA made and responding to their report directly in the interim... 

“We want to consider everything in the round to make sure we have the right answer.”

McDonald continued: "Residents shouldn’t be forced to pay twice for essential infrastructure, and developers must be held accountable for the communities they’re building. 

“I’ll continue to push for a solution that protects constituents and restores fairness to new-build estates across Stockton, Billingham and Norton."

New build estate management fees, also known as ‘fleecehold’, have crept in across the last two decades and is now an “industry norm”, according to Paula Higgins, who is the founder of the HomeOwners Alliance. 

The fees usually cover the maintenance of any communal areas - from pavements and car parks to play areas - and are often charged when buying a new-build property. Residents also pay council tax on top of this. 

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A survey by the Homeowners Association reported that over one million UK homes are now on "fleecehold" or privately managed estates.

A full statement from Bellway said: “Bellway is fully committed to completing the final adoption works at Queensgate, but regretfully the original contractor appointed to undertake these works ceased trading which has regrettably had an impact on the works taking place. 

“We have now completed the tender process with a new contractor being appointed and we expect to be able to communicate with the local MP and residents on the start date for the works imminently.”