Winsford Weaver Meadows residents left 'in complete limbo'

The Weaver Meadows estate is a development of 215 two, three, four and five-bedroom homes, offered for sale or shared ownership, ‘nestled between the Rilshaw Meadows, farmland, and a 90-acre lake which forms part of Winsford Flashes’, according to the website of former building contactor Lane End Construction.

However, work on the estate stalled soon after April 4, when Lane End announced it had gone into administration.

Now, the estate's main developer, Laurus Homes, says it's ‘currently exploring options’ for how to get the work finished.

Tristan Nicholls, who moved on to the estate with his partner and a new-born baby in September 2022 despite being told his house would be ready in April, says he’s had no contact with Laurus Homes, though he has lots of questions.

The 48-year-old said: “The land at the side of our property should have been graded, levelled and seeded, but it’s just been left. It’s still got the tracks from the machinery that was driving across it.

The view from the road in front of Tristan Nicholl's new home (Image: Newsquest)

“The properties opposite aren’t finished. We don’t know how long they’re going to be left like that, or whether they’ll be left to go derelict.

“That could have a big impact on us, because this isn’t our forever home.

“What’s the process? Will they be demolished? Does the new builder buy the contract and then build to the existing plans?

“When we moved here, the road we’re on only has seven houses, and no through road, which was part of the appeal. Are they even obliged to stick to the original plans?”

Ross Jones, who moved on to the estate in January this year after being given an initial September 2022 move-in date, said he's also also heard nothing from Laurus, and is worried about the money he has invested in his property.

The 34-year old said: “We’ve invested all this money, and if we were to pack up and move on, we might struggle to sell, and would definitely lose money.

Unused building materials left out on uncompleted roads (Image: Newsquest)

“I would say we felt let down. I work from home, so I’m here all the time, and I was expecting to see some sort of progress.

"We’ve got a young child, and we picked somewhere where she could grow up and play safely out and about. Just behind our house is supposed to be a big green.

"I want some clarity on what’s going on. We need to know whether another investor will be taking over, and what their proposed next steps would be."

One resident raised the issue of rubbish 'strewn around the place' (Image: Newsquest)

Another resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “This is an absolutely devastating loss for our estate and for the residents.

“We have unadopted roads and pavements, a park that's shut, rubbish strewn around the place, and grass areas overgrown and unattended to.

“We are now left in compete limbo as to who will be looking after our estate."

A spokesman for Laurus Homes said: “We were understandably disappointed and concerned when Lane End entered administration.

“As a responsible and quality home builder, making sure our properties are finished to the highest standards is our top priority, and we are currently exploring options within the industry to identify suitable contractors to work with us and ensure our developments are completed. 

The view from one end of the estate's main road, Proudman Way (Image: Newsquest)

“This is a complex and fluid situation, and it will take some time to fully assess all the options for moving this forward. 

“Meanwhile, we understand that residents and customers may feel concerned and we will continue working with them on a one-to-one basis to find the best outcome.

“This includes visiting all our sites and liaising with sub-contractors to address any outstanding issues.”

On April 4, 2023, the directors of Lane End Developments Construction Limited placed the company into administration and appointed Jeremy Woodside and Frank Ofonagoro of Quantuma Advisory Limited as joint administrators.

Quantuma has been approached for comment.