Barratt backtracks over 'offensive' sign

Competition to find buyers for new homes is keen

Housing giant Barratt has upset families living near its on a rival housing estate by putting up a sign reading: "If you want nice neighbours drive this way."

Local people are infuriated. They claimed that the sign urged people to steer clear and that it unwittingly branded them 'neighbours from hell'.

I found the sign deeply offensive. The first question I asked myself was what was wrong with us and the other householders?

Householder Martin Lydden

Barratt has denied any intention to cause offence, and has now had the sign taken away following a flood of protests.

Three building companies are constructing 450 homes at Margam Village, near Port Talbot at prices ranging from £45,000 to £125,000.

The allegedly offending sign was put up by Barratt to appeal to people who wanted "nice neighbours" and points to their show house on the estate.

Barratt is one of the UK's biggest house builders

But householder Martin Lydden, 32, who lives on a part of the estate built by rival firm Westbury, said: "I found the sign deeply offensive.

"The first question I asked myself was what was wrong with us and the other householders?"

Westbury Homes sales adviser Vera Nicholas said her company had received calls from residents on site questioning the ethics of the sign.

"It has upset a large number of people," she said.

A spokesman for Barratt said: "I can assure you that no offence was intended but it was thought best to take the sign down."