Fresh calls to fix botched south Lancaster housing estate after four years of misery
Residents facing problems and costly repairs at a half-built housing estate near Lancaster are again calling on a developer to fix things and for more action by authorities.
People at St Michael’s Gardens, Cockerham, say problems include faulty plumbing, heating and electricity, unfinished paths and roads, and no street lights – and they say they haven’t been able to contact the developers.
The estate’s history goes back to 2019 and Lancaster City Council took enforcement steps in 2024 and 2025 against developer Pleasington Homes Ltd, telling the company to sort the problems.
A large sign with accusations against the council appeared there recently but has since been taken down.
The sign claimed the housing site’s ‘abandoned’ look was the fault of the council.
However, a spokesman for Lancaster City Council says it has already made ‘considerable efforts’ to work with the developer including on the number of affordable homes expected there.
It has also taken enforcement action to tackle problems and is willing to consider changes to the estate plan, if changes can be justified.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said: “When we moved here a few years ago, there was no loft insulation, the heating leaked and everything was knee-deep in dust and muck. We had to live in a Holiday Inn for three months while we put things right.
“Since then we’ve probably spent £30,000 fixing things. But even now, the heating has issues and we use an air dehumidifier regularly to keep the house dry.
“Other neighbours have other issues, from electricity to water. Some house numbers are wrong and some houses haven’t been built. Some address details were wrong and didn’t tally with car insurance, bank details or council tax information. We’re all mentally exhausted. It’s been really tough.”
Another householder said: “Recently, a big sign was put up, claiming various things, but that has since disappeared. The city council intervened. In the past, the city council carried out enforcement notices and a big pile of earth was moved. But I don’t understand how the whole situation ever happened.
“We’ve spoken to Lancaster City Council and the parish council. There’s been talk about getting a maintenance company involved but there are all sorts of issues.”
Coun Sally Maddocks said: “My heart goes out to the residents. They have lived with this terrible situation for over four years. I’ve done my best to help and share their frustrations with the lack of progress to complete their homes.”
“It is within the gift of the developer to grant their wishes to live peacefully in their homes by complying with the enforcement notices, putting in a valid planning application to remove the affordable homes obligation and working with our planning department, who are professional and will continue to work with the developers – despite recent provocations.”
Attempts have been made to contact Pleasington Homes Ltd for comment.
The estate was supposed to have 36 homes including some affordable ones, along with approved drainage and other requirements. Some problems have been tackled including key sewer connections but much remains to be done.
A Lancaster City Council spokesperson said: “The council has made considerable efforts to work pro-actively with the developer regarding affordable housing. Additionally, the council has previously served enforcement notices requiring the developer to remedy several breaches of planning control.
“The developer has been advised to submit another planning application, if they wish to formally re-negotiate affordable housing requirements or any other planning obligations.
"Given the long-standing difficulties there and the conditions for local residents, the council, as the local planning authority, would expedite the determination of any submitted planning application.
“However, the council’s position is that the developer must provide sufficient and robust evidence to support a request to depart from its legal obligations to deliver affordable housing. A failure to do so would likely result in the planning application being refused.
“We would also advise the developer to comply with the provisions of the enforcement notices that were previously served. Compliance at this late stage would immediately benefit the residents.”