Problem With Developer

[lidlicker]

Our close has not been adopted by the council, and our street lights are not working. We are all retired and it is very dangerous to go out after dark. It is pitch black and it just invites burglars ! The council say it is the responsibility of the developer to put the street lights right before the close can be adopted. The council don't want to know, the developer isn't interested, what can we do.

[EcclesCake]

In the first instance install PIR lights on the front and rear of your home. Much more environmentally friendly and not expensive to run or install.

Was it the intention that the council would adopt your development?

If not how were the street lights to be funded?

Were these details not covered when you purchased the property?

[murraymints]

Contact trading standards in your local area...you have bought a commodity that's not being provided...you should find them listed in your phone book or ring council switchboard and ask to be put through..

[EcclesCake]

Oops, sorry. Just seen the bit about the council will only adopt once the lighting is sorted.

Perhaps the NHBC could advise?

[woofgang]

Were you told by the developer that the close would be adopted and were the streetlights part of the cost of the house?

[lidlicker]

The developer sold individual plots and we all built our own. I have since rang him and asked when he intends to do something. He said the council are taking over and he is forfeiting his bond, he wants rid of all the problem.
So, we await the council. Thanks everyone for your advice.

[buildersmate]

Well, in your own way, you've seemingly found the answer to your prayer.

The way it works is as follows:
Councils know developers may well default on doing stuff like this so they force developers to sign a 'Section 106 agreement' which requires them to pay money in the form of a bond as a condition to getting planning consent for the development.

Developers do the development and complete the roads to a standard acceptable to the council. Council refunds the bond.

If developer fails to do it or goes bust, Council completes the works. The only hassle you may yet have is if the financial bond the Council took is not big enough to fund the works. I'll bet it is not - otherwise it is in the developers interests to just do it, if he is still in business.

You've effectively paid for this, of course. It was in the margin that the developer made from gaining planning consent in the first place.

[Bazile]

sorry to butt in lidlicker.

buildersmate - you seem to be in the know with regard to property etc.

I dont know which part of the uk you are - i'm in the West Midlands Area - i'm looking to have an extension built to my house , but i'm frightened of all these stories you hear about people being badly let down by builders ,.

Do you know of any builders in my area , that you would recomend ?

[buildersmate]

I'm not in the W Midlands (though I went to university there many years ago) and I wouldn't feel able to recommend a company on an open site like this anyway.

There are hundreds of good builders out there and a relatively small number of dodgy ones.

Six months ago, ny neighbour had an extension done and I watched with interest as work progressed, talking to the pair of guys from time to time, and to my neighbour. They were really impressive, as minor problem-solvers (every project has upsets between start and finish - just a question of not turning them into a crisis). I've noted their details for a small project coming up shortly. That's a good way to find a good builder - go looking in your area and speak to the guys on the job.

[cassa333]

My oh has many many many sites not adopted yet and they won't until every tiny little thing is right. Even to the extent that the la change the standard before hand over and more work has to be done lol

Mind you some are over 20 yrs old so not subject to the 106.