Building flaws force residents out of homes on award-winning Holt estate
Residents of the Victory Housing Trust Lodge Hill Estate in Holt are being told to move out of their homes after the floors in their homes were deemed to be sub-standard. Pictured are Kim Hendry, Melissa Chaney and Harry Hendry. Picture: MARK BULLIMORE
Residents on an award-winning housing estate must pack everything up and move out while builders put right major problems with their floors.
The Lodge Close 33-home development at Holt which was commended in the North Norfolk District Council Graham Allen conservation and design awards. - Credit: Archant
Shocked householders in Victory Housing Trust's Lodge Close, Holt, were given the news at a meeting called by the trust.
Remedial work is due to begin in October and some residents have been told they could be away from their homes for six weeks.
In 2011 the new 33-home estate won a North Norfolk District Council Graham Allen award for the quality of its design. But Victory chief executive John Archibald said poor ventilation under the floors was making them wet.
Estate builders Lingwood-based JS Hay had gone out of business and Victory had to sort out the problem.
You may also want to watch:
All costs would be covered by a National House Building Council (NHBC) warranty.
He added: 'We are very conscious that this is going to create a great deal of disruption for residents and we will keep them fully briefed.'
Most Read
- 1 'I can't carry it' - Shock as plant starts growing eight inches a day
- 2 Aldi planning four new stores in Norfolk
- 3 Body found in search for missing 87-year-old Margaret Smith
- 4 Two Norfolk businesses star in TV show
- 5 Bungling car thieves dump £92,000 Range Rover
- 6 Fly-tipper travelled from Welsh border to dump in Norfolk
- 7 Woman hit with £900 vet bill after dog gets 'stoned' on park cannabis stash
- 8 Potential for 30C today – but two days of thunderstorms on the way
- 9 Excitement as city pub reopens after 18-month closure
- 10 Holiday homes bid for site of former landmark hotel
Rosemary Vincent, who lives with husband Christopher in a Lodge Close bungalow, said they were in a state of shocked disbelief.
'We weren't told at the meeting how long we'll be out for, where we'll be going, or when,' said Mrs Vincent.
Two years ago the couple's kitchen floor had become so uneven it had to be replaced by Victory. Lucy Heathfield, partner Jamie Barnes and their nine-month-old baby Freya moved into their shared-ownership house two months ago.
Ms Heathfield wants to know why the problem was not mentioned when the deal was going through.
She added: 'It's all freshly painted and just how we want it. Now we've got to move out. We don't know whether we'll be able to spend our first Christmas with our baby here, and that's important to us.'
Have you been affected? Email alex.hurrell@archant.co.uk
