Residents hit out at 'dream' housing development

Residents of a new-build housing estate have complained they were "sold a dream" and have criticised developers and housebuilders for a lack of community facilities.

People living at the Berewood development near Waterlooville in Hampshire told the BBC there were "so many issues", including a lack of shops and no health centre.

Suella Braverman, the area's MP, has also called on local councils and developers to "step up" to improve facilities and infrastructure.

The estate's developer, Grainger, said it was "continuing to deliver" for residents.

The development is billed by Grainger on its website as "a blossoming new neighbourhood in Waterlooville where life feels better."

With 1,100 homes already built, it promises: "When complete, the development will consist of at least 2,550 homes and a range of amenities creating a truly wonderful place to live; an industrial park, green spaces, play areas, health centre, schools, sports and community facilities, nature reserve, and more."

As part of the development process, Grainger, as master developer, sold land parcels to house builders, including Barratt Homes, to develop.

Jordan Campbell, who bought a house five years ago, said: "We were promised a health centre with doctors' surgery, we were promised a town centre with retail outlets, community hall, cafe and a pub - that has now been long overdue.

"We've got a lovely community - but there is no community facilities to facilitate that."

A current temporary community hall only has capacity for 60 people, and a lack of retail units means residents have to walk up to 30 minutes to a supermarket.

Meanwhile, he said the allotments had been created with "totally unsuitable" clay soil.

He said the lack of facilities was leading to incidents of antisocial behaviour.

"There is literally nothing here, so kids are causing a nuisance with e-bikes," he said.

"We were sold a dream, but nothing has been delivered."

Fellow resident Paulette Bennett said Grainger should "work to build a community".

She said: "Create something you should be proud of - would you send your child to live here with the resources we've got now?"

The NHS and Grainger dispute who has the responsibility for delivering a GP surgery.

In a statement, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight said it had responded "in the strongest possible terms" to Grainger applying to remove planning references to a health centre being provided by the Berewood project housing developer.

Director of primary care and local care, James Roach, said: "The local population have always been clear that the delivery of a health centre would be required infrastructure necessary to mitigate the development."

He said agreements had been made during the planning process "to avoid intolerable extra strain on existing health services nearby".

Grainger said there had not been a requirement or intention for it to deliver a health centre, only to make the land available.

Fareham and Waterlooville MP Braverman, who has held a recent meeting with Grainger, said residents were being "let down" over the lack of a health centre.

"The original plans included a GP surgery as part of the development and this has still not been commenced," she said.

She urged the health authorities and local councils to "all work together with Grainger to deliver what was promised for local people".

"Families should not be left without essential services," she said.

"Residents were promised community amenities that the councils have failed to enable.

"Havant Borough Council and Winchester City Council need to step up with the developer and deliver for local people and prioritise sorting out this planning nightmare."

She also urged builder Barratt Redrow to take "urgent action" over the condition of roads and pavements on the estate.

Grainger said there was no requirement to build retail units, but that it had been in negotiations with a retail developer.

It said a new community building would be delivered as part of the legal negotiations when the earmarked land is bought by a developer.

Land to potentially accommodate a pub was marketed last year but no bids were received from pub operators, the developer said.

Grainger also said the estate now had two new primary schools, 200 acres of managed woodland and three play areas.

A statement said: "Grainger continues to deliver for the residents and community at Berewood, working with partners, including housebuilders and local authorities, on roads and a permanent community building in the local centre."

Barratt Redrow said: "We are committed to delivering all our developments to a high quality and we will continue to work closely with residents and Grainger as the master developer, to address any concerns and ensure these standards are met."

Winchester City Council's deputy leader Neil Cutler said community facilities were "vital for creating a sense of place" in new developments.

He said under planning agreements, many were only required to be built when house numbers had reached certain levels.

"The slow pace of this development has meant that community facilities have not been delivered in a timeframe that existing residents would reasonably expect," he said.

"We recognise and share the frustration that residents express but we can't compel the developer to bring forward delivery earlier than the agreed triggers - we're continuing to work with the developer to press the delivery of these facilities as soon as possible."

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