Morda residents concerned over drain and road adoptions

Residents of Kingfisher Way in Morda have told the Advertizer they have had serious concerns regarding the lack of progress in having their drains and roads adopted by Severn Trent and Shropshire Council.

The first houses on the estate were built in 2019, however many have been waiting years to have the infrastructure adopted.

If not adopted, residents would be liable to pay for any faults and houses at the site could lose a substantial proportion of their value.

They have also raised concerns about the condition of the estate, with a large pile of earth overshadowing a section of estate.

The site's initial developer, First Choice Design and Developments Ltd, entered administration in 2020.

Since then, administrators Marshall Peters have been working alongside LSC Finance to build the rest of estate.

But residents have raised concerns with North Shropshire MP, Helen Morgan, who visited the site last month to speak to residents.

“Sadly, the experiences of residents in Kingfisher Way are echoed in many other areas where new developments are left in an unacceptable state with works outstanding,” said Ms Morgan.

“But this is no comfort whatsoever to those living there, and I would hope that the valid complaints they’ve made are listened to and action is taken.”

Residents of Kingfisher Way in Morda have raised concerns about slow progress on the adoption of roads and drainage ,as well as mess left on the site (Image: Supplied)

Paul Palmer, administrator for Marshall Peters, said there is “no basis” to suggest that ‘there has been little progress’ and pointed to progress in work bringing the road surface to the correct levels.

“As the residents are fully aware, and have seen, the works being undertaken throughout the site over the last four months,” said Mr Palmer.

“Whilst the majority of the works were to the mains foul and surface water infrastructure, most of this work was to underground pipes and manholes, so cannot be seen by the residents.

“The ‘large pile of earth’ is on public open space and as with most, if not all new build developments, landscaping matters are dealt with at completion of the development.

Residents of Kingfisher Way in Morda have raised concerns about slow progress on the adoption of roads and drainage ,as well as mess left on the site (Image: Supplied)

“This remains the case with this area of land.”

Mr Palmer said he had been liaising with Severn Trent about having the drains adopted into its system.

A Severn Trent spokesperson said: “Developers are responsible in making sure that the new sewer network meets the right requirements before we are able to take ownership, and we work with them to help with this.

“We have received contact this month to progress with this adoption in Kingfisher Way, and will continue to follow the process to adoption.”

Mr Palmer said there had been delays on the adoption of the highways due to a “lack of written communication from WSP on behalf of Shropshire Highways".

Shropshire Council confirmed it was in contact with residents and had added Kingfisher Way as a “priority site”.

A spokesperson for the Council said: “Shropshire Council is aware of residents’ concerns in relation to the current condition - and delay in the adoption of - Kingfisher Way, Morda.

“We have recently been contacted by concerned residents and Helen Morgan MP, following her meeting with residents on 11 August.

“The delay in adoption of Kingfisher Way is as a result of the original developer going into administration.

“We currently have a number of unadopted roads within Shropshire and have recently secured additional resource to try and move forward with the adoption of these sites.

“Kingfisher Way has been identified as a priority site and will form part of this project.

“Officers are currently working on collating information held in order to establish how best we facilitate the future adoption of Kingfisher Way on behalf of the residents.”