About Taylor Wimpey

Our house is the Lydford type (detached 4 bed) and the large kitchen is definitely a highlight. 2 out of the 4 bedrooms are a little small in size but do the job nicely. We’re lucky to have a spacious large back garden and a garage which is great for storage.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

We’re on the outskirts of the town of Middleton and we’re surrounded by beautiful countryside. It’s generally very quiet and there’s many families and dog owners in and around the site. There are a few playparks in short walking distance which is ideal for young children, and there’s a few pubs also in walking distance which is great. Downside is being near a secondary school which results in boisterous kids walking through our estate sometimes. We’re also next to an infamous road, “Langley Lane” which does have a bit of a reputation, although we’ve certainly never experienced any bad behavior ourselves. There is a bus stop with good connections a short walk away. The train station is a bit of a distance away though (50min walk). All in all we love the location and really feel like we’re surrounded by nature.

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

We were told at the sales stage that our garage was “single brick” and therefore wasn’t water tight (it can let water in when there’s particularly heavy rainfall). We knew this as it was communicated clearly and this hasn’t been a problem for us. But others we spoke to weren’t aware of this and it has caused them a lot of frustration. I would strongly recommend that people clarify the type of garage they will have to avoid any upset.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Once we moved in, we did have some snags but this is always to be expected when buying a new build house. The site managers Liz and Anthony have been brilliant and we always felt very well looked after with snags being addressed quickly and to a high standard.

5

Facilities

5

Design

3

Location

5

Value

5

Management

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

I like the infrastructure – the area is well connected to the rest of London. I don’t like the lack of leisure activities – there are not many places to eat or drink nearby.

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

It would have been good to have been told more about what I was getting for my money.

With regards to ground maintenance, all of the perimeters verges of the estate/s are not very well kept at all and look untidy, with litter visible in bushes and trees. Street lighting is not very maintained either, some lamps are often out for months before getting changed. Lighting for the welcome estate sculpture on Himley View has also failed and is yet to be fixed. Areas around the communal flats tend to be kept OK, with grassed areas kept neat and tidy and bushes clipped. Pedestrian access paths around the estate are not looked after, some nearly blocked by weeds and footpaths are not surfaced properly. The dog walkers field off Tansey Green Road/Himley View was never properly completed, log steps have been vandalised, trees have fallen over and are blocking the path and it has attracted some light antisocial behavior – it needs a compacted surface and street lighting. The children’s playground on Himley View is a bit underwhelming and can be muddy in wet weather – no surfacing was undertaken.

The design of surrounding traffic roads and islands in particular are a concern, they are not only bland in appearance (residents were promised art installations on islands), but have caused accidents, as adjoining roads are not effectively speed managed. Some footpaths on all of the estates are not wide enough for pushchairs or disabled equipment, there is definitely not enough on drive parking as cars block the streets.
Give way signs and markings would be an advantage on many streets but these have not been included..

In summary we really like the estate, but with all new developments, it has its minor faults. Taylor Wimpey are not always very responsive to existing residents which does sour the experience of buying a new house slightly.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

Likes:
Location is good for Merry Hill Shopping center, and access to 3 villages surrounding.
Houses are relatively well built.

Dislikes:
No really local amenities such as shops or walking areas. Nearest shop at least 35 minutes walk away. Pub 20 minutes walk. One bus stop at the top of the estate. No post box on the estate. Not enough grit bins.
Houses front onto footpaths reduce privacy (no front gardens for many)
Roads and footpaths are too narrow
Not enough parking

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

Check all electrical connections are properly made. In my case electrical connections to the external garage were not made, when I asked Taylor Wimpey after moving why it wasn’t connected, they sent an electrician who connected it via a fused spur to the lounge, and cables were clipped to the gate post, which isn’t ideal. When I complained I was ignored. Also check the double glazing, ours is drafty (cheap) and some mechanisms wouldn’t work as they were clogged with plaster.

If there is one thing you would change about your flat or property what would it be:

If there was one thing I would change about my house it would be better parking (side by side) as we have to always re-order the cars on the drive depending on who is out first. A lot of the residents just park in the street because of this problem.

We have had a few issues but the management company always sorts them out quickly and we think we get really good value for money for our rent. There is a problem with the windows as they always seem to jam but I don’t think we have actually reported it. We are allowed to paint and change the flooring as well as decorate how we want and we really love living in the house and development.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

Good location lots of shops local. Unfortunately people in the local neighbourhood reduce its attractiveness. Overall a nice neighbourhood and I like that there is a lot of nature in the area and wildlife.

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

The park in the estate was destroyed years ago and there have been no efforts to reinstate the equipment.