Fed-up residents say they were sold a dream when buying homes on a new-build estate – but it’s now turned into a nightmare.
People began moving into Nightingale View in Hamstreet, near Ashford, in 2023, excited about the quiet village setting, with some even snapping up properties off-plan.
From left to right: Clifford Jolin, Alan Brown, Marion Jolin, Alan Jopling, Yvonne Jopling
But for more than two years, householders have bemoaned issues with the site’s landscaping – including cracked footpaths, dead trees and patchy, dying grass.
The concerns have led Ashford Borough Council (ABC) to investigate whether any breaches of the planning permission have occurred.
Nightingale View was built by Bovis, part of the Vistry Group, which has made national headlines recently after facing financial challenges, including slow sales and a share price slump.
The developer insists it is working on a plan to get the 80-home estate up to scratch, footing the bill for all required fixes.
But many residents remain frustrated.
An area earmarked for hedgerows never made it out of the ground at the Nightingale View estate in Hamstreet, near Ashford
Alan Brown was one of the first arrivals in September 2023, moving to Kent to be closer to his grandchildren after 40 years in Scotland.
He told KentOnline: “We liked the village setting, and I remember looking at the plan they sent us, the house and thinking this is going to look really nice.
“Other estates we saw looked really great, neat and tidy. So it’s really disappointing we’re here now.”
Although the developers promptly fixed snagging issues, it was not long before the landscaping problems became apparent.
The 64-year-old added: “We bought the house based on the promise we would have a dream house in a lovely landscape environment, which enhanced the village and conserved the environment. It’s now a bit of a nightmare for everyone living here.
Cracked footpaths can be seen across the Nightingale View estate in Hamstreet, near Ashford
“My family turned up for the first time and were like, ‘What have you bought here?’ We paid more for the garden, and my grandchildren couldn’t play in it because it was flooded.
“Even now, walking around the whole estate, it’s actually quite depressing. People look out the window, and see this complete mess that’s been left for us.”
Mr Brown says an “amenity area” with benches and bins has still not been installed.
“It just shows they haven’t even put in the basic infrastructure,” he said.
“They came here, promised the world, do what they need to do and get out as quickly as they can.”
The rements of trees which have died on the Nightingale View estate in Hamstreet, near Ashford
A landscaping masterplan, submitted to ABC as part of the original planning application, showed grassed areas, hedgerows and tree planting.
Yvonne Joping, who has lived in Kent for more than 30 years, also questioned the developer’s maintenance of the estate.
“They planted lots of things with this plastic around them, but no one ever maintained anything. They never got watered,” the 73-year-old said.
“Trees were put in, but they were never looked after, and I estimate about one in ten has survived.
“Everywhere’s just covered in weeds, and generally it’s a mess.”
Alan Jopling, 83, fears nothing will grow on the Nightingale View estate in Hamstreet, near Ashford
Her husband, Alan, added: “The main problem is the site is on Weald Clay, which won’t support plant growth. As soon as it gets a bit dry in the summer, that’s it, they die.
“There was very little topsoil, and it’s just got washed away, the plants have died, and we’ve just got a load of plastic left.”
Last month, maintenance of the estate was transferred to Gateway, a property management firm based in Essex.
Vistry originally quoted residents £245 a year for the service charge. But they received a letter saying this has now increased to more than £600, without explanation.
The fee covers 22 visits a year for grass cutting, litter removal, plant management and tree pruning.
The landscape masterplan submitted for the Nightingale View estate in Hamstreet, near Ashford
Clifford Jolin, who has lived with his wife Marion in Hamstreet for 20 years, said: “I don’t see where the increase has come from.
“We just want to see the developers do what they promised and take a bit of responsibility for the estate.”
Vistry says it is focused on bringing the development up to the “intended standard”.
“We recognise some residents are disappointed with the landscaping and are sorry it has not met expectations,” a spokesperson said.
The circular area was meant to have benches and be a meeting point for residents
“Vistry will fund all necessary remediation, including replacing any dead or missing trees and resolving wider landscaping issues, and residents will not be asked to cover these costs.”
An ABC spokesperson added: “We are aware of some of the landscaping issues raised concerning the development at Nightingale View and are currently investigating them to determine if any planning breaches have occurred.”
Gateway has been contacted for comment regarding the increase in service fees.