Flammable gas discovery in Winsford new builds leaves buyers in limbo

The issue is affecting several homes at the Woodlands, a new Equans development of 268 low carbon affordable homes off Roehurst Lane.

Some of the properties are being sold through structured purchase options, such as rent-to-buy and part ownership schemes, by Liverpool-based housing association, Riverside Group.

In May, several early occupiers of the new estate were forced to move out of their homes and into hotels after their carbon monoxide detectors were being triggered.

The builder, Equans, struggled to find the source of the toxic gas, but eventually satisfied itself the problem was resolved, and the displaced occupants were moved back in.

However, it seems the problem was not carbon monoxide at all.

The alarms were actually being triggered by another gas, hydrogen, which is colourless, odourless, and highly flammable, Riverside has now confirmed. 

Those residents who had to move out due to the gas have now moved back in, but for the time being, no new handovers of Riverside-managed homes are going ahead (Image: Supplied)

The problem is being investigated by Equans, but Riverside, which is administering the properties, says it will only release keys when it can be certain the homes meet the strictest legal and regulatory requirements.

This is despite several would-be residents having already been given firm move-in dates.

Natalie Peat and her husband Nathan, who live in Lancashire, signed up for a rent-to-buy option on a house at the Woodlands in November 2023 to be nearer Nathan’s work in Knutsford.

They were accepted in March, and their official move-in date was the first week in May.

But when the gas was discovered, they were told they couldn’t move in despite having already given notice on their rented property in Lancashire.

They couple are now living in an Airbnb, which is costing them almost £500 a week.

Natalie, 38, said: "I honesty could not explain how awful it feels not knowing where you’re going to be living from one week to the next.

“It’s absolutely soul destroying. It’s been going on for so long now.

“We’ve been living out of suitcases for six months. Everything we own is packed away.

“The upheaval and uncertainty are incredibly stressful.

“We’ve never been told what the problem is, and we have no idea when our house is going to be available. Riverside have just gone quiet.

“That’s why we’re reluctant to sign even a short-term temporary rental contract.

“I have a job to start in Winsford, which they can hold for me for a little bit, but I’ve had to beg my current employer to keep me on after my resignation date so there’s enough money coming in.”

Another first-time buyer, Evan Banks, is in the same boat. He grew up in Winsford but is currently living with his parents in Holmes Chapel.

Evan, whose girlfriend is expecting a baby in March, reserved a home in April for an admin fee of £250, with an expected move-in date of mid-July.

The 27-year-old said: “Whatever the truth is, I guarantee it isn’t worse than not knowing.

“Riverside have made a situation – which I accept may not be their fault – a lot worse.

“The won’t give us any indication of timescale. All they’ll say is they’ve ceased all handovers of properties for the foreseeable future, and they can’t tell us why.

“It’s really important because we need a family home where we can all be together.

“I don’t want to walk away but I might have to.

“Buying your first house is meant to be one of the most exciting times of your life.

“For us it’s just been frustrating and awful."

Riverside describes the presence of hydrogen below ground as ‘highly complex’, adding it is doing everything it can to ensure for any future homes they take on, this will not happen again for homebuyers.  

A spokesman for Riverside said: “We absolutely sympathise with the frustration and disappointment potential homebuyers at the Woodlands are currently feeling.

"Like them, we are keen to progress with sales. There is no benefit to us in the delays we have experienced.

“Throughout the process, our sales team have strived to keep potential purchasers updated, sending regular and detailed communications when we have been in a position to do so, to explain the issues which have emerged and the work the developer is doing to try to resolve them.

“Our priority is to ensure that all properties we receive (and subsequently bring to market) are of the highest quality, meeting legal and regulatory requirements, to protect homebuyers now and in the future.

“We will only make properties available once we have this full assurance. This is a highly technical and complex situation which we hope will be concluded soon.

“We will continue to keep potential homebuyers informed once we are able to provide more detail."

Equans failed to reply to several requests for comment.