Unfinished infrastructure plagues estate

Cattle have been spotted roaming in parts of the Copperthorpe development.

One angry local man has written to Waterside Councillor Martin Reilly to complain about the situation at ‘Copperthorpe.’

One local man has written to Waterside Councillor Martin Reilly to complain about the situation at ‘Copperthorpe.’ During construction, Brookview Developments, sold Copperthorpe as a ‘groundbreaking’ new development that would include a ‘beautiful communal village park to enjoy those summer evenings and winter walks.’

But back in 2010 the Sentinel spoke to several residents who had been living in phase one of the development who told the paper roads and drains in the estate had not been adopted and were not up to an acceptable standard.

An unfinished house in Copperthorpe in Drumahoe. Residents have complained that the development remains a partial ghost estate after the developers behind the scheme were placed in administration.

Now several years later it appears some of these issues remain unresolved for some residents and that cows can even be found wandering and fouling in the estate.

This hasn’t been helped by the fact that DAB Developments - formerly Brookview Developments - was placed in administration just over two years ago.

The resident - who asked not to be named - says incomplete lamp posts, roads, houses and footpaths have persisted since the administrators took over.

He has also complained of anti-social behaviour.

He claims the area is becoming a health and safety risk for his family and his neighbours’ families.

“The bottom line someone is going to get hurt or do serious damage to themselves on this plot of unfinished land, I bought my house, pay all my bills rates and I am being treated like a second class citizen,” he stated.

Mr Reilly says Roads Service told him that an administrator has advised a contract is likely to be let in the near future to conclude the development including completion of the carriageway and footway.

He told the paper: “I can understand the frustration of local residents who have been left with a litany of problem issues in this area they have chosen to live in.

An artist's impression of what Copperthorpe was supposed to look like.

“I welcome a reply from Roads Service that they are working with the administrators to try to ensure that these issues are resolved.”

Administrator BDO told the Sentinel it was in advanced negotiations with a buyer but couldn’t yet say when a contract would be signed.

Brian Murphy of BDO said: “We are at an advanced stage of sales negotiations.”

He added: “It can only be a positive thing if someone is coming in to buy it.”