Persimmon Homes apologises for ‘mess’ left in Chilton Polden

Construction began at Persimmon Homes’ Priory Green development in March last year after Sedgemoor District Council granted planning permission in October 2019.

Residents living near the Hayne Walk construction site raised concerns about the building work with the Bridgwater Mercury in November.

Now the newbuilds are occupied, they say the area around their homes has been left in a “depressing” state.

Their pictures show the streets surrounding the development overgrown with weeds, while two large piles of earth have been left by the side of the road.

Persimmon Homes has apologised to the residents affected and said a programme has been devised to complete the “outstanding works”.

“It is a complete mess and depressing to look at every day.” Pictures: Supplied

The Hayne Walk residents, who asked not to be named, said: “The entrance to the site was never finished.

“It was supposed to be grassed with wildflowers, but they never even landscaped it.

“It was left as uneven mud which is now just weeds. They also never took down the electric supply hut they used for the construction site.

“It is open for anyone to go in. I just hope there are no live electrics in it.

“There are also two massive piles of earth left on site. It is a complete mess and depressing to look at every day.”

Chilton Polden Parish Council has closed the “unfinished” playground. Picture: Supplied

A children’s playpark installed during the building work has been closed by Chilton Polden Parish Council with a sign that says ‘Danger’ and ‘Do not enter’.

The residents added: “The playground they built has now been closed by the parish council as it was left in an unsafe state and hadn’t even been handed over to the management company before it was opened.”

A spokesperson for the parish council said: “All of us on Chilton Polden’s Parish Council continue to support the residents of Chapel Close, Hayne Walk and Priory Green - and continue to be disappointed with the Persimmon team.

“We’ve had to take our own safety steps by buying a lock and securing the unfinished play area on the site. We didn’t want anyone, particularly any child, to run the risk of injury when on the play area.

“We are continuing to try to contact and get Persimmon to complete all their obligations, and we are also liaising again with Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset County Council for their help.

“We just need a safe and enjoyable area in and around the Persimmon development, for the benefit of all our villagers, and especially the residents in the immediate area.”

Sedgemoor District Council brought the unlocked services cabinet to Persimmon Homes' attention. Picture: Supplied

A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes Severn Valley said: “We sincerely apologise to residents affected at Priory Green.

“We are aware of the outstanding works at the site and a programme has been devised, with contractors due to start in the coming weeks.

“We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused and would like to reassure residents that we are making every effort to finish the development to the highest possible standard.”

Parts of the area surrounding the new estate have become overgrown with weeds. Pictures: Supplied

A Sedgemoor District Council spokesperson said its parks and open spaces team has been in contact with Persimmon Homes and asked that it brings the play area up to an “acceptable standard”.

The council expects Persimmon to finish and re-open the playpark in the week commencing Monday, September 5.

The spokesperson added: “We brought to their (Persimmon's) attention the unlocked services cabinet.”

Chilton Polden is a village located around six miles from Bridgwater and 10 miles from Glastonbury.