First Time Buyers are speaking out about their devastation upon finding out that their new build homes bought some years ago are now practically worthless.
One couple who have found themselves in this situation and have chosen to reveal all to BBC’s Rip Off Britain is Chris and Steph Oliver – who paid £130,000 for their three-bedroom new-build in Bradford back in 2014 – after using the government’s 20% Help to Buy scheme to get a mortgage with a term of five years.
As they came to remortgage the property, the pair then discovered that the building they purchased had not been completed in line with building regulations.
To make matters worse, the firm behind the development – Sherwood Homes – went into administration back in February, and the problem doesn’t end there either, because it then emerged that all 13 homes on the same new build estate are facing the same problems.
It was reported that one of the main issues was that the estate backs onto what used to be a landfill site.
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Despite the site being inactive for over four decades, the council claimed it still releases toxic methane gas, however when building began on the estate, there was supposed to be a protective membrane fitting under the floors of each property.
There is at present no proof that this was fitted correctly, or ever even completed.
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BBC / Rip Off Britain
Chris Oliver – a graphic designer – said: “It’s a mess.
“We feel let down by the systems in this country [and] there’s been so many people who we should have been able to trust and rely on and no one wants to help.”
He continued: “We tried to contact Sherwood Homes [but] there was no reply.
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“They stopped answering phone lines and emails,
“We were in a state of panic.”
Adeel Azfal – another first time buyer who lives with his partner and daughter, Anya – is in the same position as Chris and Steph after purchasing another one of the properties on the same estate for £175,000 back in June of 2016.
Again speaking to BBC’s Rip Off Britain, he said: “We’ve got a young family. My partner doesn’t work so we are tied into what we thought would be our forever home.
“When we realised it was worth nothing it was a shock.
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“I’m in £150,000 worth of debt to my mortgage provider and I’m paying for a house that’s worth nothing at all.”
BBC / Rip Off Britain
Gary Rycroft – a new-build solicitor – advised the residents to take action against their conveyancing solicitors.
He said: “The conveyancing solicitor on the face of it hasn’t spotted various issues you would expect them to spot. In terms of environmental issues arising on the site, the new road and the sewers, these are all fundamental issues and all part of the job you would expect a conveyancing surveyor would do.”
Both lots of homeowners claim that their conveyancing solicitors denied any wrong-doing, but did agree to pay towards finishing the building work.
A spokesperson for Bradford Council also told the programme: “Clearly residents have been let down by the developer and the agencies that worked for the developer, and that is why the council have supported residents through guidance and advice.
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“We understand that a number of the residents have successfully taken legal action against the developer’s agencies in order to rectify some of the problems on site,
“The council considers to be the correct route for residents to be following.”
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Channel 4 to air exclusive new documentary about the disappearance and death of Lancashire teen Jay Slater
Emily Sergeant
An exclusive new documentary taking an inside look at the the disappearance of Jay Slater is coming to Channel 4.
On the morning of 17 June 2024, 19-year-old Jay Slater – an apprentice bricklayer from the Lancashire town of Oswaldtwistle – disappeared on the island of Tenerife in Spain, after attempting to walk 14 hours back to his accommodation when there was no local taxi service available and no bus due for 90 minutes.
From then commenced one of the biggest missing persons cases in recent British history.
As the world’s media were following the story minute by minute last summer, producers at Channel 4 were in the incredibly-unique position where they had access to the Coronial process in Lancashire, and this has led to the exclusive documentary title The Disappearance of Jay Slater.
From Jay’s post-mortem to Jay’s inquest, the team have been with the family every step of the way over the last year, as they try and understand exactly what happened to Jay outside of the public gaze
Jay was ultimately pronounced dead on 15 July 2024 after Spanish police reported the discovery of a body in the vicinity of the area of interest, but before this discovery and eventual announcement, the internet became awash with public discourse, conspiracy theories, and more.
The Disappearance of Jay Slater is described as being ‘the family’s story’.
Channel 4 will air an exclusive new documentary about the disappearance and death of Lancashire teen Jay Slater / Credit: GoFundMe
The documentary is set to follow them as they search for answers about what happened to Jay, witnessing the conspiracy theories raging online and the subsequent horrific abuse they received as a family – which is an hourly onslaught that continues to this day.
These cameras were the only media in the world granted full access to film both Jay’s post-mortem and inside the church at his funeral.
But the broadcaster claims this documentary is not only the story of Jay’s tragedy, it’s also the story of ‘the new world we live in’ where so-called true crime armchair detectives run wild.
“The story of Jay Slater captured the nation last summer with a fervour and intensity fuelled by armchair detectives and internet culture,” commented Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor, Rita Daniels, ahead of the documentary airing.
“We are so glad to be working on a sensitively handled exploration of the family’s experience, and understanding the impact of being in the middle of a social media storm, amplified by grief.
“The film holds a light up to our current society and is exactly the story that is a necessity for Channel 4 to tell.”
Executive Producer Anna Hall added: “It is appalling what has happened to Jay’s family, and we hope this film will help to bring awareness of the real life consequences of online speculation. It is an unmonitored world where fake news runs rife, and this film shows the devastating impact this has had on one grieving family.”
The Disappearance of Jay Slater is expected to air on Channel 4 later this year, but no official dates have been confirmed as of yet, so keep your eyes peeled.
Featured Image – GoFundMe
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‘Best signing of the summer’: Stockport County fans react to Dave Challinor’s new contract
Danny Jones
Stockport County fans are buzzing with their first and arguably ‘biggest’ signing of the summer, as manager Dave Challinor has penned a new contract at Edgeley Park.
The majority of match-goers in Stockport have fallen in love with Challinor over the past few years, with the former County centre-back having now spent nearly four years as the boss and overseeing one of the best periods in their history during that time.
With seven promotions across four different clubs, three of those coming at Edgeley Park, he’s been touted as one of the EFL‘s most underrated and quietly successful coaches in recent times.
All that being said, and with the 49-year-old now signing a new deal at the club, supporters like those behind the popular The Scarf Bergara Wore fan podcast have said, “Could be the best signing of our summer, that” – a similar sentiment has been echoed in pretty much everyone’s reaction.
Congratulations to Dave, a superb manager – would expect Stockport to play in the Championship in that time. Not many can say they’ve had success everywhere they’ve been, but he can
As you can see, while some jokingly said they were waiting to hear former Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry had been re-signed, the overwhelming consensus is that this is “superb news” for the thriving Greater Manchester side.
Having only just missed out on yet another promotion, which would have seen SCFC back in the Championship after more than two decades (having last spent time in the second division during the 2002/23 campaign, lasting just one season), keeping him tied down wasn’t a certainty.
The Chester-born ex-pro turned manager has attracted plenty of interest since his heroics at AFC Fylde and now at Stockport County, but owner and Vita Group founder, Mark Stott, as well as CEO Simon Wilson and the rest of the board were more than ready to reward his efforts with a new three-year deal.
If all goes to plan, this will see him remain at the club until at least 2028 if they make it into the Championship as planned, who knows how much longer after that.
Speaking on the new contract, Dave Challinor said via an official club statement, “I’m delighted to extend my stay at the Club beyond the end of the upcoming season. Last season gives me even more motivation to improve and aim to meet the shared objectives we have.
“I’m still highly ambitious, and feel that what we have built here over the last three-and-a-half years makes County somewhere that I want to continue to build, alongside my staff, players and everyone involved at the Club.”
‘Chally’ went on to add: “Last season gives me even more motivation to improve and aim to meet the shared objectives we have.
“I’m still highly ambitious, and feel that what we have built here over the last three-and-a-half years makes County somewhere that I want to continue to build, alongside my staff, players and everyone involved at the Club.
“A manager’s tenure at any football club is getting shorter and shorter, and I feel proud to have been at Edgeley Park for as long as I have. That comes from the trust placed in me by Mark and Simon to come in and have a positive impact, and I thank them both for that.”
Emily Sergeant -
9th October 2020 
