FUTURE residents of a 186-home development Flintshire have been "left in the lurch" over an ongoing drainage dispute between the developer and Flintshire Council.

Residents who have bought property on Redrow's Millstone View development in Penyffordd have been left unable to move in their new homes due to the ongoing dispute between Redrow and the local authority over wastewater drainage connections.

Residents, who were originally meant to move into their homes earlier this year, have been left living apart from one another, in temporary rentals and with family members.

Redrow and Flintshire Council have been unable to come to an agreement over the price for a connection to be made on a nearby plot of disused land, which would allow the new homes to connect to the village’s current drainage system.

Despite the site’s drainage being repeatedly flagged as a potential issue in planning documents dating back to 2016, it was given the green light to go ahead without a solid plan for the drainage connection.

Completed homes at Millstone View are currently connected to a temporary water pump which is generating considerable noise to nearby existing residents.

Redrow has been given approval to install a permanent below ground pumping station as a possible alternative to the offsite connection, however there are concerns this will be an eyesore to both current residents and those set to move in.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “This year has been a really stressful time for everyone, let alone without being left completely in the dark over what is going on and when we can move into our home.

“It should be a really exciting time but to be honest it has been hell. We have tried reaching out to everyone, including; senior members of Redrow, the council and local MP’s and everyone has a conflicting answer.

“We don’t understand why this is not being taken more seriously and we are at a stage of complete desperation for a solution. This is having a major effect on our personal lives and we wish it would just get sorted so we can get on with our lives.”

Despite Covid-19 delaying construction progress on the homes by just a few months, residents have been given new move in dates nine months later than their original completion, due to the unresolved issue.

Jason Newton, managing director at Redrow Homes (NW) says: “Our discussions with Flintshire Council to resolve the drainage matter are ongoing.

"Ideally an offsite solution would mean as little disruption to the residents as possible.

"We want to assure all residents that we are committed to completing the homes at Millstone View in the safest, earliest and most practical way possible.”

Flintshire Council has been approached for comment on the matter.