“Residents should not be left for year after year on unfinished estates”
Emma Foody MP has renewed calls for action on the ongoing problem of unadopted and unfinished housing estates, during a Westminster Hall debate she secured on Tuesday 18 November.
Speaking in the debate, Ms Foody highlighted the frustration of residents across her constituency who live on new estates that remain unadopted, leaving them with unfinished roads and infrastructure, unclear responsibilities, and ongoing estate management fees.
Recalling a previous debate secured by Ms Foody that the Minister had responded to, the Cramlington and Killingworth MP said;
“I’ve surveyed local people living on those estates for their experiences. I’ve shared previously with him (the Housing Minister) their frustration with the lack of delivery and accountability for infrastructure on unadopted estates.
“Residents should not be left for year after year on unfinished estates paying estate management fees, and with a lack of any certainty from developers and councils on getting those adopted.”
In reply, the Minister Matt Pennycook acknowledged the long-standing issues with unadopted freehold estates and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to tackling unfair private management arrangements, often described as ‘fleecehold’.
Mr Pennycook stated;
“She and I have discussed the matter numerous times.”
“We remain fully committed to protecting residential freeholders on such estates from unfair charges and to ending the injustice of ‘fleecehold’ entirely by reducing the prevalence of private estate management arrangements. As we have promised, we will consult on these matters before the end of the year, and my hon. Friend and her constituents can feed into our proposals at that point. We remain on track to bring those consultations forward.”
Ms Foody welcomed the commitment to launch the consultation but stressed the need for swift action:
“The Government’s forthcoming consultation is a crucial opportunity for residents to make their voices heard, and I understand the urgency of homeowners who have already waited far too long.
“Developers and estate management companies must be held accountable, and adoption processes must be sped up. I will continue to push for the reforms needed to end this injustice once and for all.”
Ms Foody has pledged to continue working with Ministers, local authorities, and residents to ensure that communities across Cramlington and Killingworth constituency see meaningful progress on this issue.