88 newbuild homes to be demolished on edge of Cambridge
The work is expected to take 12 weeks to complete
We're hearing 88 newbuild houses are to be demolished on the edge of Cambridge that have faulty foundations.
Some fully and some partially constructed were built as part of the Darwin Green development by the developer Barratt and David Wilson Homes Cambridgeshire.
The faults were found during quality assurance checks earlier this year.
Back in June this year it was revealed that there were problems with the foundations of a number of newly built homes in the second phase of the development, referred to as BDW2.
At the time the developer said that a “small number” of houses had foundation issues and said no one had moved into any of the affected properties.
It was initially reported that 36 newly built houses were impacted by the issue and needed to be demolished.
However, a report published by Cambridge City Council this week said 88 fully and partially built properties are impacted by the foundation issues.
At a meeting of the city council and South Cambridgeshire District Council’s joint development control committee this week (December 12), councillors agreed that the demolition work could take place.
The meeting heard that the work is expected to take 12 weeks to complete.
A representative of the developer said they would be “working hard to rectify this situation”.
They said: “As you are aware, following quality assurance checks earlier this year we discovered issues with the design of the foundations of the units under construction.
“Whilst this is a rare circumstance, the application before you today will enable us to demolish the affected properties to allow us to rebuild to the correct foundations and deliver much needed housing.
“In our commitment to minimise the effects of the demolition works on the environment and local residents, we will be implementing a comprehensive series of measures to mitigate the impacts of noise, dust, and vibration throughout the duration of the works.”
Some of the measures proposed by the developer include putting up a seven metre fence between the houses that need to be demolished and the houses that people are already living in.
Councillors were told this fence will visually screen the work and also help prevent dust from reaching the houses, and reduce the noise from the work.
Water cannons are also proposed to be used to reduce the amount of dust created by the demolition, and noise monitoring sensors are proposed to be installed around the site to track the noise levels of the work.
The meeting heard that no demolition work is due to take place at the weekend.
Officers also explained that a manned 24/7 phone line will also be set up by the developer, which people can call if they have any complaints about noise or dust from the demolition work.
Councillor Katie Porrer said the proposals to demolish the new homes was a “depressing thing to come before the committee”.
However, she said she was pleased to see progress being made to demolish the affected properties and to rebuild them.
When a decision on allowing the demolition work was put to a vote the committee voted unanimously in favour of granting it.
Following the approval, the chair of the committee, Councillor Simon Smith, said he had a statement that he wanted to make about the situation.
He said the developers had been asked by planning officers to submit a further application relating to the approval for the BDW2 development.
Cllr Smith said this would help to make sure all concerns are identified and addressed, and said the committee encouraged the developer to follow the request.
He said: “This application was welcomed. In light of concerns expressed by existing residents of Darwin Green and neighbouring homes, we have to say this following formal statement.
“This committee is concerned to promote the highest possible quality of sustainable housing development to meet housing needs and create places where communities can thrive.
“It is both necessary and in the interests of BDW Homes existing and future residents, neighbouring communities, and both local planning authorities, which includes this joint committee, that all developments on the site and across Greater Cambridge are built in accordance with the approved plans.
“I understand the planning officers have advised BDW Homes to submit a section 73 application in respect of the approved plans reserved matters consent 21/04431/REM.
“This committee encourages BDW Homes collaborate with the shared planning services officers with the view to preparing and submitting such an application, so that known and any other possible concerns relating to the finished floor levels and the as built drainage system at BDW2 can be identified, addressed and resolved to ensure construction is in accordance with the approved plans.”