Homeowners in a new development claim they have been left to deal with an 'eyesore' of 'derelict wasteland' that has attracted rats, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour after a housing developer 'abandoned' the project.
As many as 12 neighbours moved into new build properties on Brookdale Mews in Failsworth four years ago, under the impression that the rest of the development to build a further eight properties was in the works.
However, they claim the project to transform the site into housing where the former Brookdale Pub stood, has been dropped by the developers, Galleria Homes.
Galleria Homes was contacted for comment.
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As a result, the homeowners say they have been left to grapple with a "cordoned off wasteland" which "serves as a home for rodents and trespassers".
Ken Benham moved into his home in 2019 and claimed he's heard "excuses" from the developer, from issues with an underground pipe belonging to United Utilities to a lack of resources in the pandemic to complete the job.
The grandfather, who is due to retire from his role at Manchester County Court, said the residents have been left with a huge "rat-infested eyesore" for the past four years.
The site is visible from the back gardens of the residents' homes and photographs show the state of the field.
The grass is overgrown and has become a dumping ground for fly-tippers, with bags of waste, bricks and a mattress visible through the fences and from the windows of the neighbour's houses.
Mr Benham also said there was a time when youngsters were seen "playing" on the field while a static caravan, which once had a 'watchman' overlooking the development, was left abandoned with a gas canister.
He added: "It's been really depressing. I just never open the curtains because I don't want to look at it."
Jessica and James Knowles were first-time buyers when they moved into the development in 2019, but described their experience as like a "nightmare".
Ms Knowles was pregnant at the time with their third child and said they had high hopes the rest of the development would be built as they were one of the first families to move in on the street.
However, they've sat next to the derelict field ever since.
Ms Knowles continued: "I'm annoyed and frustrated. Would we have bought this if we knew it was going to be left? No.
"It's worrying. In the future, how are we going to sell it?
"The developer, he doesn't care. It's frustrating as we've bought this home.
"The whole process has been a massive headache."
Louise and Alex Gregory and their three children also moved in during the summer of 2019 and similarly described the situation as "a mess".
Ms Gregory said: "I'd be happy if they just flattened (the site) because people are just dumping stuff in there, bricks have been left and rats are coming through into our gardens."
The rat problem has become so dire for the families that many have taken extra measures to 'plug' up holes with bricks to prevent the rodents from coming in.
Ms Gregory continued: "The developer said he would fix it and kept saying he would build the rest but then weeks turned into months and now it's been years.
"I've never seen them again. It's all a bit strange.
"We didn't buy this house to live next to an eyesore.
"The community didn't sign up to living next to a dumping ground."
The neighbours further allege "corners were cut" when their homes were built as Ms Knowles said her bathroom flooded twice not long after moving in and other "snags" have been left unattended to.
The mother of three continued: "You've just got to hope there's nothing else wrong with the properties.
"I've seen fly-tipping too, with vans putting rubbish on it, and it's attracting anti-social behaviour.
"There was a smashed-up caravan and gas canister that was left as the security guard just disappeared one day.
"A fence has since gone up around it but how long does the land have to be left derelict until the council can take it back?
"It just can't be left how it is with this big horrible grey fence - it's not what you want when you buy a new house."
Mr Benham similarly claimed the homes have "defects" and said the site has been rife with anti-social behaviour.
One home was allegedly broken into while another said children had climbed the fence to get into their garden to use the trampoline.
Mr Benham added: "It's unfair of those of us who purchased the houses in good faith that the development would be completed.
"The value of our homes will be affected negatively by it if any of us intend to sell.
"I complained because of the gas canister. I was scared it was going to go off, with it being so close to our homes."
The neighbours have since banded together to complain to Oldham Council but a visit by Environmental Health in October 2020 didn't reassure the group.
Email correspondence shows an officer visited the site but determined the fence was "secure" and said "no noxious waste" was found.
The officer's email concluded: "Unfortunately, there is no formal enforcement action that can be taken by the council at this time."
Now, the neighbours are appealing to the local authority and Galleria Homes to do something about the site.
Ms Knowles said: "It's so frustrating because we feel we've not got a leg to stand on and we've just been left with this eyesore that's devaluing our properties."
Mr Benham added: "Can a middle ground be sought? Perhaps where the council buys back the land and turns it into a small park or perhaps some other municipal facility?
"Can the council either intervene or provide guidance on how we can deal with this matter?
"I feel abandoned and left behind because who is going to resolve it? Is it going to be left like this indefinitely?
"You do give up hope with it all."
Ms Gregory also said it would be nice to see the land put to good use, such as a park where the children can play football.
She added: "Right now it's just a waste.
"I feel sorry for the neighbours facing it too because there was a derelict pub that was demolished for it and now they've been left with this."
The director of Galleria Homes, Mohammad 'Maz' Mazhar Choudhary, was contacted but did not comment on the claims.
A spokesperson for Oldham Council said their powers are limited when it comes to private land.
They said: “We fully understand why residents are frustrated but the council cannot force the builders to complete the development as it is on private land.
“The project stalled due to a dispute between the landowner and a utilities firm over an underground pipe.
“The pipe was not known about when work started and the cost of relocating it has meant that work has not been completed for the time being.
"We have been informed the developer continues to look for funding to finish off the job."
The council also said it will "inform" the landowner that "it is their duty to keep the land secure and free from any waste or they could face enforcement action".
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