COLUMN: Housing estate issues will soon be resolved

Unfortunately that isn’t the only issue that residents come to me with about these new developments, with unfinished works and problems with properties also high on the list.

I have approached Bovis Homes about two complaints from constituents. A resident of Hornbeam Way in Kirkby wanted to know why that road has not yet been resurfaced when it had been promised a while ago. Bovis has told me that both phases of that development and associated road resurfacing and kerb installation will be completed by the middle of May.

The company has also guaranteed that ground-works for the new children’s play area and the public open space are set to take place very soon so that the district council can take them over.

The second issue involved a house on Sorrel Drive in Kirkby.

The householders complained to Bovis about their four-year-old daughter’s bedroom being extremely cold, and they sent someone to check the window and the insulation.

The young girl was becoming ill with a recurrent cough and chest infections, and her mum was very concerned.

Bovis did a thermal imaging study of the room in December and found some extremely cold coldspots and agreed this needed rectifying.

A month later, vents had been replaced, but the work had not been completed. They have now told me that work to improve window seals and put in extra insulation is being arranged and they will speak to the homeowner regarding adequate compensation. I hope the matter is resolved quickly and the little girl’s health improves.

I just want to flag up an excellent initiative that Ashfield District Council is running this week. It is offering free bulky waste collections to help people clear out their old fridge-freezer, televisions, sofas, etc. The offer is for free removal of one item, with additional items costing £6.50 each. Book a collection slot by calling 0800 1838484 or email [email protected].