Residents at HAB Housing’s Applewood development in Stroud, Gloucestershire, have reported a catalogue of problems including non-compliant gas fittings, damp problems, draughty windows, uncapped chimneys and defective plasterboard at the 78-home scheme.
The development, a partnership between Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud’s HAB Housing and developer-cum-housing association GreenSquare Group, was built by Gloucester based contractor Markey Construction and designed by architect DSDHA.
According to its website, HAB Housing was set up by McCloud in 2007 to “challenge the way identikit volume housing was built in the UK” and is “a leader in sustainable development, favouring a fabric first approach to environmental construction”.
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But the Western Daily Press and other media outlets have reported that residents have experienced a succession of problems with the homes since they moved in last summer.
Clare Honeyfield, who bought an £125,000 apartment, is quoted in the paper complaining about damp patches on the chimney breast in the bathroom and the bedroom, the “wrong” plasterboard being applied directly on to the brickwork, and three windows that had to be replaced.
Following a gas leak at one of the properties, an inspection revealed that pipes had been routed within the cavity walls, and Honeyfield also said there was no isolator valve on her gas supply.
The problems have caught the attention of local MP Neil Carmichael, who has met with 20 residents and is reportedly writing to GreenSquare on their behalf.
HAB Housing’s Applewood development in Stroud has been dogged by problems. Image: Western Daily Press
The problems at Applewood follow complaints about HAB Housing’s first scheme in Swindon, which also reportedly suffered from construction defects.
In 2012 the developer’s Triangle project in Swindon, also a collaboration with GreenSquare, suffered from water leaks, cracks in walls and ceilings and difficulties with doors and stairs. The project was designed by Glenn Howells Architects and built by Willmott Dixon.
Simon McWhirter, head of sales HAB Housing, told Construction Manager: “It’s clearly been a very frustrating time for the residents and we’re sorry that their experience has not been as good as it should have been.
“However, we are pleased that a plan is in place that will resolve all of the outstanding issues, and we’ll continue to monitor the situation very closely.”
Contacted by Construction Manager, GreenSquare said that it had carried out surveys of the properties and is looking to deal with a range of “snagging issues”.
But Phil Bowley, head of regeneration at GreenSquare, said: “The contractor [Markey] is now completing surveys at each home to establish exactly what remedial work is necessary. We’re now working to ensure that all options are being discussed with residents so that each household can choose the one that best suits them.”
But he acknowledged that many of the house’s gas fittings were not compliant with Gas Safety Regulations. “When we asked an independent Gas Safe Registered expert to have a look at the gas installations, our contractor [Markey] had completed at Applewood, he found that they did not comply fully with regulations because pipes had been routed within the cavity walls. But he confirmed that they are not considered to be dangerous and can continue to be safely used until remedial work is carried out.
“We fully understand and share residents’ frustration and concern that this situation has arisen, and remain committed to working to ensure that all outstanding issues are addressed as quickly as possible, both to the residents’ satisfaction and Gas Safe compliance.
GreenSquare has also opened a temporary office in the local community centre, across the road from Applewood, to coordinate repairs.
A spokesperson from contractor Markey Construction told Construction Manager: “We are proactively working with our subcontractor to resolve the issues.”
According to its website, HAB Housing is currently developing a further seven sites, with a five-house scheme near Oxford set to complete next year.
