Our newbuild nightmare: Residents' fury as quiet 'village' estate descends into bleak mess of dead plants and cracked pavements

By JOSHUA HAINING, NEWS REPORTER Published: 19:35, 8 June 2026 | Updated: 19:36, 8 June 2026 Residents are furious after their idyllic new-build estate descended into a bleak mess of dead plants and cracked pavements just three years after being built. People started to move into Nightingale View in Hamstreet, Kent, as early as 2023, excited for their future in a quiet village setting. Some keen villagers even bought properties off the developers before a single brick had been laid - a decision they would soon come to regret. For more than two years, householders have complained about issues with the 80-home estate's cracked footpaths, dead trees, and patchy, dying grass. Alan Brown was one of the first arrivals on the estate, who moved to Kent to be closer to his grandchildren after living in Scotland for 40 years. He said he was looking forward to living on the estate after seeing the village setting and house plan. But it wasn't long before the estate's landscaping turned the dream village into a new-build nightmare. The 64-year-old said: 'We bought the house based on the promise we would have a dream house in a lovely landscape environment, which enhanced the village and conserved the environment.  For more than two years, householders have complained about issues with the 80-home estate's cracked footpaths, dead trees, and patchy, dying grass The developers insisted it is working on a plan to get the estate to the 'intended standard' The original planning application which showed grassed areas, hedgerows and trees that have not been maintained since the estate was built 'It's now a bit of a nightmare for everyone living here. My family turned up for the first time and were like, "What have you bought here?"  'We paid more for the garden, and my grandchildren couldn't play in it because it was flooded. Even now, walking around the whole estate, it's actually quite depressing. Mr Brown said benches and bins had not yet been installed in an 'amenity area' which showed there isn't even 'basic infrastructure' on the estate. He added: 'Other estates we saw looked really great, neat and tidy. So it's really disappointing we're here now.' After villagers raised their concerns, Ashford Borough Council launched an investigation into whether the developers have breached planning permission. Nightingale View was built by Bovis, part of Vistry Group, which has made national headlines after slow sales and a share price slump. Despite the financial challenges, the developers insisted it is working on a plan to get the estate to the 'intended standard' - but residents are still frustrated.  A landscaping masterplan was submitted to the council as part of the original planning application which showed grassed areas, hedgerows and trees that have not been maintained since the estate was built. Ashford Borough Council launched an investigation whether the developers have breached planning permission Nightingale View was built by Bovis, part of Vistry Group, which has made national headlines after slow sales and a share price slump Yvonne Jopling, who has lived in Kent for more than three decades questioned the developers' maintenance of the estate.  The 73-year-old said lots of planting took place but nothing was ever watered and now weeds have overrun the grass. 'Trees were put in, but they were never looked after, and I estimate about one in ten has survived. Everywhere’s just covered in weeds, and generally it’s a mess,' she said. Last month, estate maintenance was transferred to Essex management firm, Gateway. Since the changeover, Vistry has increased the service charge from the original quote of £246 to more than £600 per year without an explanation.  The fee covers 22 visits a year for grass trimming, litter removal, plant management and tree pruning.  Clifford Jolin, who has lived with his wife Marion in Hamstreet for 20 years, said: 'I don’t see where the increase has come from.  'We just want to see the developers do what they promised and take a bit of responsibility for the estate.'   A Vistry spokesperson said: 'We recognise some residents are disappointed with the landscaping and are sorry it has not met expectations.'  'Vistry will fund all necessary remediation, including replacing any dead or missing trees and resolving wider landscaping issues, and residents will not be asked to cover these costs.' An Ashford Borough Council spokesperson said: 'We are aware of some of the landscaping issues raised concerning the development at Nightingale View and are currently investigating them to determine if any planning breaches have occurred.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. 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