A PEEBLES mum-of-four has told of her frustration after builders left a newly-built housing estate unfinished and ‘littered with safety hazards’.

Sophie Hamilton, who moved into the Miller Homes development at Violet Bank north of the town in November, said that while all housing is complete, a range of landscaping and drainage works are yet to be finished.

Sophie told the Peeblesshire News: “The last house was built in January and the estate has been left in an unfinished state since then. 

“The estate is littered with safety hazards, with machinery parts, hoses, dust masks, plastics and weeds all embedded in the ground surrounding the homes. 

“Several of the drains are sunken and a huge amount of landscaping works, from grass, to trees and shrubbery are yet to be done.

“This is hugely worrying for the parents of children who live on this estate. 

“All of the rubble is going to have to be cleared before any grass seed is expected to flourish. It’s an environmental risk and is completely polar to Miller’s commitment to sustainable developments.”

She added: “I’ve contacted the developers to address the external and internal snagging issues. They failed to respond to my individual emails, but collectively – me, my neighbours and local councillors – seem to be having more impact. 

“Councillor Kris Chapman is also assisting us with another query about a path to nowhere at the south of the estate, which SBC are responsible for completing.

“From the correspondence I’ve received in recent weeks, they’ve promised that the issues would be resolved. 

“But so far, no one has turned up, blaming adverse conditions which is laughable. Scotland doesn’t come to a standstill in a shower. 

“How on earth would they complete other developments too?”

Kris Chapman, Lib Dem councillor for Tweeddale West, said: “Last week I met with a number of residents at the Miller Homes Violet Bank development on Standalane View and Standalane Terrace.

“I was very disappointed to see the standards of works by the developer Miller Homes and a severe lack of communication with the local residents. 

“I commend the patience of these residents, but enough is enough! The quality of work was not to standard I would expect of any developer and significant steps need to be taken.

“I have been communicating with Miller Homes and I am pleased that they are now taking action to resolve the situation and met with residents on Monday. I look forward to seeing progress being made.”

Miller Homes told us: “We are aware of concerns regarding the completion of communal areas at our Peebles Gait development. 

“Unfortunately, due to various factors, this work has taken longer to complete than had initially been anticipated. 

“We wish to apologise for any inconvenience this has caused to residents. 

“We would also like to reassure them that the work is now being progressed and we are committed to completing the development to the standard expected by Miller Homes.”