Furious residents told they may be unable to sell or re-mortgage their ‘worthless’ new build homes

• The 263-home Coppenhall Place estate in Crewe was given permission in 2018  
• Builder Countryside Partnerships was ordered to deal with contaminated land
• But Countryside failed to do so, meaning the homes could be deemed worthless 

Homeowners on a large Cheshire estate are in limbo after learning their properties could be worthless as they were put up without the correct planning permission.

Houses built on the 263-home Coppenhall Place development in Crewe are on potentially contaminated land, it is alleged.

Developer Countryside Partnerships was given the go-ahead to build the estate in 2018, The Mirror reports.

However, it is accused of failing to deliver on a condition to decontaminate the land – meaning all 263 homes could potentially be deemed unlawful. 

On Thursday, March 23, Countryside Partnerships submitted a retrospective application asking Cheshire East’s planning committee to regularise the development – insisting that council officers are satisfied it does not pose a risk to human health.

But the application was met with angry backlash from councillors, who have decided to investigate possible contamination before making a decision.

For worried homeowners, the dilemma means they are unable to sell or remortgage their homes until the issue is resolved. 

A building source said: ‘Decontamination is extremely expensive.

‘Everyone who bought on that site had a solicitor handle the transactions on their behalf and these people should have ensured all the planning constraints were met.’

Councillor Stewart Gardiner said: ‘They (Countryside) knew full well that they were required to undertake work relating to the discharge of that [contaminated land] condition before one brick was laid and yet they chose not to do it. That’s not overlooking, that’s not forgetfulness, that is active breach.’

Another councillor, David Marren, called for the application to be refused and said that besides the unmet condition to deal with contaminated land, Countryside had also knocked down a historic factory wall instead of preserving it as required.

Councillor Marren added that Countryside had donated little towards education funding and the NHS, which was an expected contribution when planning permission was given.

He said: ‘This developer, it could be argued, has put profit before compliance and assurance.’

Isla Brady, representing Countryside Partnerships, told the meeting that the developer had worked closely with environmental officers to be sure the site does not pose a risk to human health. 

She also said that Countryside would now be making a contribution to local education and the NHS, adding that the firm had paid £100,000 in contributions since the 2018 permission was granted.

When pressed about the historic wall which was meant to be retained, Ms Brady explained it had ‘fallen down’ when workmen attempted to lower it.

Currently 18 plots remain unfinished – many with families waiting to move in – and the developer is unable to proceed with them while awaiting new planning permission.

Countryside has been contacted by MailOnline.