The dispute centres on Abbey Farm, a development of around 350 homes in north-east Swindon, where concerns remain over roads, public open spaces, drainage features and estate management.
Councillors Jake Chandler and Kate Tomlinson say developers Vistry and Redrow have declined requests to discuss the issues, despite months of concerns being raised by residents.
Councillor Jake Chandler said: “It is incredibly surprising.
“Having met with Vistry and Redrow representatives throughout the planning and delivery of this development since being first elected, this is the only occasion there has been a refusal to meet us and discuss issues.
“Those residents who have reached out to us, attended public meetings and even the media who have asked for comment expect elected representatives to be working constructively to hold works to account. I would strongly advise a reconsideration of the refusal to meet Abbey Farm’s councillors.”
The concerns relate to outstanding works across the estate, which councillors estimate could cost around £170,000 to complete if they are not finished before responsibility is transferred to residents.
Homeowners already pay estate management fees to Gateway Property Management. However, councillors say residents fear those charges could rise further if they become responsible for remedial works that should have been completed by the developers.
The issue has intensified after some residents who withheld management fee payments during the dispute reportedly received legal warnings from the management company.
Last month, the ward councillors held a public meeting with residents, where homeowners raised concerns about increasing management charges, flooding, the standard of completed works and a lack of transparency over the estate’s management.
Following the meeting, the councillors wrote to Gateway Property Management requesting financial information, maintenance contracts and a timetable for transferring control of the estate to residents.
They argue homeowners should not inherit responsibility for unresolved issues.
In an email to Vistry’s Regional Managing Director, Councillor Kate Tomlinson said: “The agreed plan, which residents have not long had sight of, raises several concerns.
“There are several issues with the Abbey Farm estate which need to be rectified first before it is handed over to residents.
“Residents have been paying Gateway fees, which continue to increase despite a poor service, without an Open Spaces Certificate being issued by the council, something stated in the TP1 agreement as a requisite for residents paying for maintenance.
“I ask again that you meet with us in good faith, to try and resolve these issues now, before proceeding with any handover.”
Vistry’s Regional Director responded: “At this stage, there is no need to arrange a meeting. We are continuing to progress matters in line with the agreed plan.”
The disagreement follows a decision by Swindon Borough Council’s Planning Committee last year to approve revised remedial works at Abbey Farm.
Councillors Chandler and Tomlinson say that while the decision removed planning barriers to residents eventually taking control of the estate’s management, questions remain over the outstanding works and when any handover should take place.
Councillor Chandler said:
“This is incredibly important, not just for Abbey Farm residents.
“We were elected on a promise of delivering greater fairness and transparency when it comes to new developments and management companies. Developers must now come to the table and resolve residents’ concerns before this situation gets any worse.”
