In a shocking turn of events, a brand-new housing estate is facing demolition after developers unearthed defects in 88 luxury homes, plunging the project into a staggering £40 million reconstruction. Barratt David Wilson Homes Cambridgeshire revealed last year that the properties at Darwin Green were slated for demolition due to critical foundation issues, leading to the demolition of four houses already, with ongoing work scheduled for the next three months.

According to their planning application to Cambridge City Council, the developers have pledged to salvage tiles, doors, windows, and kitchen equipment whenever possible. They’ve also outlined plans to crush and reuse concrete and brick on-site as part of their commitment to sustainable practices. The decision to demolish and rebuild was made after inspections revealed that some homes did not meet the developers’ “usual high standards.”

A spokesperson for Barratt David Wilson Homes Cambridgeshire expressed regret for the situation, stating, “As a five-star house builder, we have an extensive quality assurance process, and during inspections, we found a small number of unoccupied properties at our Darwin Green development did not meet our usual high standards.” The spokesperson continued, “Unfortunately, the most effective course of action at this stage is to demolish the properties and rebuild them. We have apologised to the customers affected and understand their frustrations, but we are doing all that we can to lessen the impact of this for them. The most important thing is that the homes we build for our customers are of the highest quality possible, and this means spotting and rectifying mistakes, which is what we are doing here.”

The massive development, situated just over a mile from the city centre, has approval for up to 1,593 homes, including amenities such as a new primary school, supermarket, library, central park, and sports facilities. Phase two of the development is currently underway, with homes ranging from two to five bedrooms now on sale for prices between £575,995 and £850,995. It’s reported that some affected homes had been sold but were not yet occupied, while others are still under construction.

Darwin Green assured residents on its website that comprehensive measures would be implemented to mitigate the impacts of the demolition works, including monitoring stations to control noise, dust, and vibrations. Barratt and David Wilson Homes reaffirmed their commitment to minimising the impact on residents and the environment.

The surprising news left local Councillor Cheney Payne in disbelief, as she told The Cambridge Independent, “I couldn’t quite believe it.” The unfolding saga at Darwin Green is sure to keep the public on the edge of their seats as the ambitious housing project undergoes a major facelift. Stay tuned for more updates on this jaw-dropping housing upheaval!