RESIDENTS have criticised a housing developer for leaving an estate in Botley unfinished three years after the first homes were sold.

Despite most of the three, four and five-bed dwellings now being occupied, Tilbury Fields has been left resembling a construction site according to frustrated home owners with roads and pavements left as dirt tracks and a mound of rubble where a promised playground should be.

Persimmon Homes has said drainage issues have prevented the site from being completed with the developer working with the district council towards a ‘swift’ resolution.

However, resident Claire Townsend who moved into her home on the estate two years ago, said residents have become frustrated with little to no progress made since the start of the year.

Mrs Townsend said the unsurfaced pavements and roads pose a significant trip hazard to pedestrians, while the space for the playground is a danger to children.

The mother-of-two said: “We thought it would all be finished by last Easter, then last summer, now it’s a year later.

“For the past six months there’s only occasionally been a couple of guys on site.

“We’ve got two children who would love to use the playground.

“I’ve spoken to quite a few residents and there’s a lot of frustration.

“There’s weeds everywhere. The whole place looks a mess because the estate just hasn’t been finished.”

Another resident who did not wish to be named added: “The playground is a dangerous building site which curious children find ways in to play.

“This is a disgraceful way to treat people who are having to live like this.”

The first homes were sold on the 130-home estate off Fogwell Road in 2015, however, a problem with the drainage design has seen work on the road surfacing stall.

A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes North London said: “Technical discussions are in progress with the local authorities and are progressing towards a swift resolution.

“Exploratory works have been completed on site and the results are being analysed with a view to completion of the road surfaces along with the open spaces works.”

A spokesperson for Vale of White Horse District Council said the council was working with the county council to resolve the outstanding issues.

The spokesperson added: “Persimmon are not able to complete the work on the roads until they prove that their drainage strategy is as approved and functions correctly.

“We understand they are working towards this.”