Homeowners' 'nightmare' estate

One resident encountered more than 150 problems

Residents of a newly-built Wiltshire estate who have paid up to £250,000 for their new homes say they are living in the 'houses from hell'.

Residents of Avon Close, Calne, say they needed to replace heating systems in their homes as a result of incorrect wiring, and one couple said they had to replace a faulty kitchen as soon as they moved in.

One roof was severely weakened by a strong wind last month and cement was loosened underneath the tiles. One resident said he had counted more than 150 faults with his property.

Water pressure was insufficient to run toilets or run baths in many houses and screws showed through the ceiling plaster.

Peter Appleby says there are problems throughout the country

One resident who discovered there was no insulation in one floor of her house told BBC News Online, she had decided to sell.

"We've been living in the house from hell since we moved in last September," said one local who wished to remain anonymous.

Another couple said they had to replace their kitchen floor after it flooded with four inches of water.

Resident Margaret Lamb who repaired her garden after it was laid on top of debris from the building site, said: "We have had our low points but you rise above them merely to find around the corner there's another problem.

Mrs Lamb said she had written to the developer, Persimmon Homes, but had had no response.

'Isolated spot'

A spokesman for the company said they believed only a small number of purchasers were unhappy.

"We are working on householders' problems and have apologised to all concerned," he said.

Peter Appleby, an independent building consultant, added: "Unfortunately this isn't an isolated spot.

"Persimmon are not the only company that have defects in and around this area and indeed throughout the country.

"To be fair to Persimmon, they are putting the defects right."