Home Farm Phase 2 adoption process – update on Taylor Wimpey’s roads and sewers

We wrote to Taylor Wimpey on the 4th April 2012 asking them to outline the adoption process for the roads that are under ownership, that is the already ‘finished’ part of Stevensons Road and Sheepwash Way.

Below is the response from Bryn Maidmen, Managing Director of Taylor Wimpey East Anglia…

As you are aware Barratt Homes have instructed Maypine Civil’s to carry out remedials on the “spine” road section of the Home Farm Development, which we understand is nearing completion.

Taylor Wimpey are currently awaiting confirmation of the Highways Agreement process from CCC for the spine road and once confirmed we will look to carry out the remedials within our control with a view to CCC adopting our sections of roads in tandem with the spine road.

With regards to the sewers, the Foul Water system was adopted by Anglian Water Authority in October 2011 under the new DEFRA regulations, however the Surface Water sewers outfall direct to a water course and therefore remain the responsibility of Taylor Wimpey / Barratt Homes and Deliottes, any remedials required to the Surface Water sewers by Anglian Water Authority will be carried out prior to Maypine Civils surfacing the spine road which I am told will be in approximately two weeks time.

I trust the above is satisfactory.

Yours sincerely

Bryn Maidmen
Managing Director
Taylor Wimpey East Anglia

Phase 2 – Road Adoption Process

The forum have been maintaining regular contact with Andrew Swindell, Managing Director of Barratt Homes.  In a recent communication he has copied us the letter he received from Cambridge County Council Highways Development Control.

This letter can be seen below and confirms that road adoption could proceed rapidly if the works are completed to a high enough standard and not need any maintenance period.

Letter outlining CCC Road Adoption Agreement with Barratt Homes

Works Programme for Phase 2 Roads

In answer to our recent request for an update Barratt Homes have supplied the following works programme for the remedial/completion works on Duddle Drive and Stevensons Road.  So far it is all going according to plan.

Maypine Civils Schedule of Works

Phase 1 Road Adoption – Persimmon Homes

The Forum has received a statement from the Cambridge County Council regarding their understanding of the Home Farm Phase 1 and 2 road adoption process.  It is clear that the actions taken by residents on Phase 2 roads (Stevensons Road, Duddle Drive, Sheepwash Way) have been very effective but there has been little or no impact on the Phase 1 roads (Collingwood Drive, Nelson Crescent, Hardy Close, Bullen Close).  Persimmon Homes are still not completing their responsibilities in working with the Council to make the necessary repairs so that road adoption can commence.  The Forum needs some of the residents on these roads to step forward and help raise awareness so that more pressure can be put on Persimmon Homes to fulfill their responsibilities.

The following statement was received from Michael Cunliffe, Business Support Assistant, Highways Development Control.

The phase 1 roads, constructed by Persimmon, have direct access to the existing adopted highway of Over Road and so the progress of their adoption will not affect or be affected by the adoption of the phase 2 roads.

The process for achieving adoption of the Phase 1 roads has been discussed with Persimmon Homes for a number of years but cannot proceed without their action, which includes undertaking necessary remedial works.  As soon as Persimmon Homes wishes to begin working towards adoption of the Phase 1 roads they can do so.  I recently confirmed this with Paul White, Adoptions Manager for Persimmon Homes East Midlands on the 13th March 2012.

Paul has said that Persimmon are keen to progress toward the adoption of the Phase 1 roads, however the speed at which this will happen rests entirely in their hands.  Until the phase 1 roads are adopted, they remain the responsibility of Persimmon Homes.

Once the Phase 2 roads have been brought to the necessary standards, as approved by our inspectors, we will need to be provided with the necessary paperwork which shows that the party wishing to have the roads adopted has the right to do so.  Once we have the confirmation from our inspector and the necessary paperwork, adoption can take place.  However, I cannot provide a timescale for when Barratt’s will accomplish this.

Works on Duddle Drive and Stevensons Road

Alison has kindly provided some photos of the road works that began on 5 March.  Maypine Civils have 2-3 teams in action on the Home Farm estate.

Duddle Drive gets new brick paving

Duddle Drive near the play area

Signs of action in Stevenson Road

Kerbs being replaced in Stevensons Road

Recent activity on Home Farm development

Members of the Home Farm Forum met the Managing Director of Barratt Homes, Andrew Swindell, on Thursday 2nd February, demanding a clear plan of action to complete the roads and paths on Duddle Drive & Stevensons Road. This came 48 hours after headline coverage on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, and the timely delivery of the infamous protest photos involving 100+ residents, taken back in January, and sent to Barratt Homes & Taylor Wimpey. “People Power” appeared to convince Mr Swindell that the issue needed to be resolved quickly and he agreed to confirm in writing, within 21 days, the start date of the works contract and other relevant details.

On Friday 17th February, residents received a letter stating that these ground works will commence on Monday 20th February. Maypine Construction Limited has been appointed to undertake this work and current estimates are that it will take 10-12 weeks to complete. The reaction to the media coverage appears to have caused a step change in attitude from the developers, and the forum is delighted that our collective effort appears to have achieved the objective for the first part of our campaign. Residents have already reported a flurry of activity in the area with many posts on Facebook suggesting that work could be starting very soon. We are aware from other sources that the Development Control Inspector for Cambridgeshire County Council has been working closely with Barratt Homes & Taylor Wimpey in the last few days to prepare the outline works required to bring the roads and paths up to adoption standard.

From first hand experience we can report that on Monday morning 13th February, a group of 6 men in fluorescent builders’ jackets were gathered around the bonnet of a car looking at some road plans. When asked if they were anything to do with proposals to finish the roads on Home Farm estate, they confirmed that was precisely why they were there. One of the group said he was “The Development Control Inspector” for Cambridge County Council and explained that the other men were from the contractors hired by Barratt to complete the roads and paths in Stevensons Road and Duddle Drive, ready for subsequent adoption by the County Council. He said that their task was to help the contractors price the works required.

On Wednesday 15th February, a member of the Forum spoke to the workmen cleaning the drains on Duddle Drive and Stevensons Road and was told that they had been hired to clean the drains, as a preliminary to resurfacing the roads. They confirmed that all the broken kerb stones marked in blue will be replaced by new ones when the resurfacing is being carried out.

It is now an exciting time for Home Farm residents, and we’re hoping to continue to build on the strength of community spirit that has developed around this issue and leverage our network to help improve facilities, eventually, across the whole of Home Farm. Long may this spirit continue and in the meantime we keep our fingers crossed that the roads will be completed in time for a Jubilee full on “trip free and hazard free” street party!

Home Farm Forum