Dispute over Bellway footpaths and roads at Hurworth estate

Conditions on the estate, developed by Bellway Homes in Hurworth, have been branded “a disgrace” by Councillor Lorraine Tostevin, who represents the village on Darlington Borough Council.

The councillor says she has been trying to find a resolution to the dispute for two years, alongside MP Matt Vickers and fellow borough councillor Paul Walters.

Councillor Tostevin said: “The residents bought their properties in good faith, and it is simply unacceptable that they are stuck in the middle, waiting years for this to be put right. As well as it being unsightly, it is a trip hazard, and it has gone on far too long.”

(Image: Peter Barron) The controversial development, on the edge of the picturesque village, went ahead in 2018 after a planning dispute. While some paths and roads have been finished, others have been left with drains, manhole covers, and pavement edges sticking up.

Councillor Tostevin says the dispute arose because Bellway made initial mistakes over the gradient on the footpaths to allow water to run off. Adjustments now need to be made to meet local authority standards, but Bellway need the agreement of all residents before they can go ahead.

Councillor Tostevin and Matt Vickers had a meeting with the council and a Bellway representative last week and left believing a “series of co-dependent” steps had been agreed to move forward”. The first step was for a letter to be sent to residents, setting out the measures to be taken.

However, Councillor Tostevin said: “Following the meeting last week, at which all parties agreed a process by which to move forward, it appears that Bellway have since chosen to submit an alternative proposal to Darlington Borough Council.

“Unfortunately, this means that there is still no agreement on a way forward and the footpaths will remain in their current unfinished state whilst the negotiations continue.  This is very disappointing for the residents.

“It’s incredibly frustrating because residents are contacting us, needing help, but we can’t get anywhere. It has to be sorted out – but it has to be done in the right way that meet the expected standards.”

(Image: Peter Barron) One frustrated resident said: “We’re just stuck in the middle, and it seems endless. It feels like Bellway have taken the money and run.”

While the work is unfinished, the borough council has not adopted the site but is receiving council tax from the house-buyers.

A spokesperson for Bellway Homes said: “Bellway is looking to resolve the adoption issues at its Hurworth development as a matter of urgency. The delays to the completion and adoption of the roads stems from a dispute between Bellway and the local authority on adoption standards at the time of construction.

“The solution being proposed by the local authority involved Bellway digging up the driveways of properties, where we have no legal right to do so, and have been denied permission by some of the homeowners impacted.

“Bellway has tabled an alternative solution, which met local adoption standards at the time of construction, without the need for such evasive works, but this has been rejected by local authority. We have been working with key stakeholders, including the local MP to try and find a solution that allows works to be completed as soon as possible.”

(Image: Peter Barron) A council spokesperson said: "We're in contact with Bellway to ensure they complete any outstanding work on the development to a satisfactory standard."

Last week, The Northern Echo highlighted another new housing development in Darlington that has been blighted by developers stopping work and leaving exposed pipes and unfinished paths.

Residents of the 59-home development on Carmel Road South, in Darlington, have raised concerns over safety issues that they say remain unresolved.

Construction began five years ago, and although the final house was completed in April, roads and pavements remain "dangerously unfinished," according to residents.

Despite developer Story Homes says it is "fully committed to completing the outstanding works".

Councillor Tostevin says Hurworth and Carmel Road are “just two examples of a number of housing sites across the borough where work hasn’t been finished properly”.