'It has been a disaster': Residents' frustration over fresh plans on unfinished Shropshire housing estate

Residents on an unfinished housing estate have hit out after it emerged the developer wants to build more properties on an area previously planned for green space.

The homeowners, living on Kingfisher Way in Morda, have listed a series of issues over the site.

One couple said that they had bought their property for £371,000 in 2022 - and are still waiting for roads and drains to be completed.

It has also been confirmed in recent weeks that the developers completing the site want to build a number of houses on land which was earmarked in the original plans for a ‘green space’.

The space is currently covered by a large mound of earth. Shropshire Council has described the proposal as “unacceptable”.

The first homes on the site were finished back in 2019.

While both roads and drains remain unfinished they cannot be ‘adopted’ by Shropshire Council or Severn Trent Water, meaning the residents could be left to pay the costs if anything goes wrong.

The homeowners also say the issues could affect them if they want to try and sell their home.

The site was originally being built by a firm called First Choice Design and Developments, but the company was placed in administration.

Since then LSC Finance and Marshall Peters have been working to complete the development.

The firm responsible for the site says work has been taking place in recent months to complete the scheme.

But one homeowner said they had been left facing significant stress while they wait for the site to be finished, describing the situation as “a nightmare”.

She said: “We have not got what we were promised when we bought the house. It has just been a disaster. It has been really stressful.”

She added: “We thought we would be in this house now forever, or until we need to downsize but it has just been hell and I feel like I could cry.”

Referencing the application to build homes on the land which is currently covered in mud and intended for green space, one resident said: “They said they were waiting for it to dry out. We have had such a warm summer - the ideal time to move it. They said they were getting quotes but now we find out they want to build houses there.”

Another neighbour said the plan should be refused, and added: “For them to sell all the houses and then go back and say we can put some more houses on there - it is like they have lied to every single person.”

A planning application approved for the site back in 2016 included an area of green space, which has never been completed.

It has instead been used to store construction vehicles and is currently covered in a large mound of earth.

In August an application was submitted to Shropshire Council asking for permission to build houses on that piece of land.

The council has responded in a pre-application note saying that such a move would be “unacceptable”.

A submission from the developers argues that the site could be come a “neglected” portion of the development.

It said: “The intent for the application is to rationalise the portion of green open space to the south of the site that has currently got the site cabins and spoil from the construction phase.

It adds: “This area effectively is an open gap which is unusual on most new housing estates, within the site, which is disproportionate by comparison to other housing estate developments across the country.”

It continues: “Families will likely avoid using it due to its proximity to the adopted 30mph road and lack of nature surveillance.

“As a result the area is likely to become a burden on the local residents as it is a significant area to maintain with minimum benefit.”

Responding, Shropshire Council said: “In conclusion, building nine dwellings on land that was approved as public open space is unacceptable, as this area should be provided to enhance visual amenity and provide opportunities for recreation, play, and ecological improvement.”

Responding to the complaints from residents Paul Palmer, joint administrator for First Choice Design & Developments Limited, said work had been taking place to get the estate finished and the roads and drains adopted.

He said: “The residents are fully aware, and have evidenced the increased remedial works being undertaken throughout the site over the last five months, with a view to getting drains up to adoptable standards.”

He added: “I can confirm that neither Severn Trent Water nor the council have raised any concerns directly with me. We are working with Severn Trent Water to progress the “adoptable standards” process as quickly as possible.”

Mr Palmer continued: “I have been liaising with Severn Trent Water throughout the project and more recently since April 2026 to determine final remedial works needed to allow the drains to progress to the maintenance stage of the adoption process.

“All remedial works done to date have been verbally approved by Severn Trent Water. A final inspection will be arranged for the purposes of approving all completed works and applying to Severn Trent Water to place the drains onto maintenance via a Section 104 Agreement.”

Responding over the fresh application to build on land earmarked for green space, he said: “This is an application for change of use only at this stage. Unless, or until, that application is approved, no further decisions have been made in respect of that area of land.”