Persimmon PLC

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

I’ve lived here from the very beginning, so I’ve watched the village develop from the start. There are definitely some positives, but also quite a few things that I feel could have been done much better. The pub is a nice addition to the area and can be a lovely place to visit, although unfortunately they do seem to struggle at times with troublemakers coming in from surrounding areas. The school is ideal for the many families living in the village and is a real benefit to the community. However, the narrow roads around the area can become extremely busy, particularly around school drop-off and pick-up times, so it’s something to be aware of. One of my biggest disappointments is the lack of facilities for children. The so-called playground feels like a missed opportunity. There was plenty of potential to make much better use of the space, perhaps with a separate area for toddlers and another for older children. As it stands, the equipment is very limited and younger children often can’t use it because older children are occupying the equipment. We also regularly have groups of youths from surrounding areas passing through on motorbikes, so pedestrians need to be mindful when walking around. It took a very long time for the roads and footpaths to be completed, and even now, when you walk around the village, you can see areas that look unfinished or as though they were simply left incomplete. Parking is another massive issue. If you’re planning on having family or friends visit, good luck finding somewhere for them to leave their car! The local bus service is available, which is useful, although buses can sometimes struggle to get through because of the way cars are parked on the already narrow roads. On a positive note, we have an excellent group of community volunteers who regularly litter-pick and do their best to keep the area clean. Sadly, fly-tipping and litter continue to be a significant problem. There is also a small stream that could have been a really pleasant little spot for residents and families to enjoy. Unfortunately, it is often spoiled by rubbish such as disposable BBQs, empty beer bottles and used vapes being left behind. We do have a SPAR shop, and the staff there are lovely. It’s just a shame that a development of this size doesn’t have more useful local facilities. A hairdresser, dentist, coffee shop or bakery, for example, would be great additions and would make the village feel much more like a community. I appreciate that it’s easy to focus on the negatives, and there are certainly good things about living here. However, having watched the village develop from the very beginning, I do feel that more thought and effort could have gone into making it cleaner, safer, more accommodating and more family-friendly. There was a real opportunity to create something special here, and in some respects it feels like that opportunity has been missed.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Just how small the rooms are. You can’t fit a double bed in the master bedroom and the lack of parking.

What is the best feature of your home:

The garden which I redid myself because they original garden had broken pots in the soil and wrapped fencing and massive draining problems.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Lovely community feeling, great access to walks Lovely pub on the estate and a shop Park is nice but more for younger children

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Buying new there was a lot of costs after wards to get the house liveable as was a bit of a box

What is the best feature of your home:

Location and size of the house Works perfectly for our family

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The town is lovely and quiet. Nice get away from the busy city. You have the forests not too far away.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

The poor build quality and poor after sales customer care by the management company/site manager

What is the best feature of your home:

Location - its in a nice quiet private road which is nice

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Very little local amenities and public transport links. Parking- cant even access my own drive properly! Traffic noise high due to main road.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

How absolutely awful experience. Dont make them push you for their time frames, listen out for pushy sales tactics and call them out. Dont be forced into 'upgrades' or tricked when local tradesmen can do cheaper and better.

What is the best feature of your home:

Spacious living room, light and airy. That's about it, the rest does not live up to the hype.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Nice place to live but no shops. We like the community spirit but just wish they would build some shops

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

The terrible customer service . Council tax rubbish collection is poor every 2 weeks

What is the best feature of your home:

Its new and fresh meaning we don't have to do any DIY for a long time