Justin and Sarah Gardner are hoping an eleventh hour phone call has prevented the start of a bitter court battle for compensation against the company they say built their "house from hell".

Sarah Gardner looks out of her fire window, which has been so poorly fitted that it has been screwed shut

Mr and Mrs Gardner were planning to sue Bryant Homes - now Taylor Woodrow - for breach of contract after an independent building inspector found that their dream house in Elton Close, north Oxford, had 176 faults.

The couple were today, Wednesday, August 4, due to come face-to-face with representatives from Taylor Woodrow for a preliminary hearing at Oxford County Court.

But last night Mr Gardner, 33, a market research analyst, received a call from Taylor Woodrow offering the couple an undisclosed cash settlement, which they are expected to accept.

Mr Gardner said: "Taylor Woodrow have made us an offer and we're hoping to settle the dispute without the need to go to court.

"This has been going on for nearly two years and we're still living in a house that is dangerous. It would be nice to finally get some of the serious issues rectified quickly."

He added: "I have tried to encourage them to start negotiating and I would be very happy if this is resolved."

In June, the Oxford Mail revealed how the house was still littered with defects 18 months after the couple moved into the house, which they purchased from plans.

Their daughter, one-year-old Emilia, fell on a loose kickboard - the skirting board attached to the bottom of kitchen units - and split her top lip with her teeth.

The couple have been told that they will not receive a building control certificate until the major defects are rectified.

Mr and Mrs Gardner said they would find it impossible to sell the property and they think their house insurance could be invalid as a result.

The Oxford Mail contacted Taylor Woodrow, but a spokesmen declined to comment.

The independent inspector found a catalogue of faults with the property. He found that the house was built without any cavity wall insulation - an oversight the Gardners' believe has cost them more than £100 a month in heating bills during the winter.

The couple also claim that roof tiles have fallen off.