OKEHAMPTON’S MP has said he is happy to press a housing developer into engaging with residents living on the Broome Park estate in Okehampton who are unhappy with rotting timber walls that hold their gardens in place.

People living on Broome Park have been suffering after walls standing two metres high and built with timber poles designed to support the gardens of properties on the development have started to rot at the base.

The homes — built in 2008 by Barratt Homes — stand on the side of a steep hill on a former allotment site. The rotting of the log supports has led to the possibility of gardens subsiding hugely, leaving homeowners to foot bills of tens of thousands of pounds to sort the problem.

Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon, said: ‘I fully appreciate this is a very stressful and upsetting situation for the affected residents to find themselves in. I have already written to Barratt Homes on behalf of two residents who have contacted me and have had the same response denying liability. I am happy to press the developer again to urge them to engage in an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and my office has spoken with the Citizens Advice Consumer Service who are happy to provide advice to affected residents about their options.’

Garden fences, walls and gates do not require building regulation approval. However, although building regulations do not apply, these elements must be structurally sound and must comply with good practice.

The residents of Broome Park — which includes Hawkins Walk, Portugal Way and other streets off Fatherford Road — are contesting that the retaining walls were not constructed to a reasonable standard and the developer of the site, Barratt Homes, should shoulder responsibility for paying to rectify the damage.

Barratt Homes have denied all liability. Paul Moran, managing director of Barratt Exeter, said: ‘While we are sympathetic to the isues we do not accept any liability.

‘This issue was previously referred to the National House Building Council (NHBC) some years ago who confirmed that it does not fall within the responsibility of Barratt Homes or the NHBC themselves.’

ADR includes dispute resolution processes and techniques that act as a means for disagreeing parties to come to an agreement short of litigation. It is a collective term for the ways that parties can settle disputes, with the help of a third party.

If you are affected by rotting timber walls in your property, contact Mel Stride’s office via email on [email protected] or call 01392 823306.