A housing developer has apologised “unreservedly” to residents in a controversial Kinross -shire estate because of “botched drainage infrastructure”.
Residents of Dalwhamie Street in the Persimmon development at Lathro Farm, Kinross say they are “trapped in a never ending nightmare” because of the drainage, first installed when the estate was built.
Persimmon Homes has now appointed contractors to try and correct the deficiencies in the system.
However this involves the digging up of the road and gardens of the residents which is making life more difficult for those living there.
Local residents claim they are “having to live in a building site” with mud, dumper trucks, dug up roads and gardens.
Some residents are unable to access their homes and carers are struggling to attend those dependent on their services.
Residents contacted Kinross-shire councillor Willie Robertson about the situation and he has written to Persimmon Homes asking for the issues with access and disruption to be addressed.
“I was shocked by what I found when I visited the site,” Cllr Robertson said.
“The street is full of partly filled holes and there is mud everywhere.
“People’s carpets have been ruined and vehicles damaged.
“I went to visit the site on my bike as it is almost impossible in a car!
“Persimmon Homes have told me that they will consider any claims for damage residents make but how do you charge a company like Persimmon for the cost of replacing carpets and other cleaning costs you incur because of the works?”
There is long-term concern as to whether the remedial works will actually solve the problems.
One resident who didn’t want to be named said: “The contractors, Advance Construction, have done their very best to keep us informed of what they are doing, and we are pleased with their efforts.
“However we have been told by one of the workmen that the rainwater downpipes from our roofs are not actually attached to anything.
“This explains the localised flooding we have experienced in our gardens.
“We have no confidence that Persimmon Homes will be able to rectify all the deficiencies that are appearing.”
Councillor Robertson has also written to Perth and Kinross Council asking why completion certificates were issues for the houses in Dalwhamie Street when there were clearly major issues in the way the construction works were carried out.
Work on site has now stopped for the Christmas holidays but the contractors have told residents that they will be back early in the New Year to begin digging up their road again.
Persimmon Homes issued an apology to residents.
A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes North Scotland said: “We apologise unreservedly to all of our customers at the Lathro Meadows development.
“Completing the sewer replacement with the minimum disruption has been our priority and although the works required are extensive, we have done everything we can to keep residents informed throughout regarding access and possible inconvenience.
“We really appreciate everyone’s patience while we carry out this necessary work and want to reassure our customers that we should be finished in line with our original plan in February.
“Our dedicated customer liaison has been on hand to help anyone with additional concerns and we would like to thank those affected by the works again for their understanding.”
