Neighbours fear for their homes after roof gable collapses on 4-year-old Buckshaw Village house

Homeowners are urgently seeking answers from house builders after a roof gable suddenly collapsed on a four-year-old property in Buckshaw Village.
By Matthew Calderbank
Published 16th Jan 2020, 07:22 BST
Updated 17th Jan 2020, 07:12 BST
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The gable end of a terraced home in Byers Walk, near Tesco, came crashing down at around 4pm on Monday (January 13).

Housebuilder Prospect Homes said the home had suffered structural damage due to 'extreme weather conditions'.

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Byers Walker had to be shut to traffic after the sudden collapse caused the wall to shed its bricks and breeze blocks across a section of road.

Housebuilder Prospect Homes blamed "extreme weather conditions" for the collapseHousebuilder Prospect Homes blamed "extreme weather conditions" for the collapse
Housebuilder Prospect Homes blamed "extreme weather conditions" for the collapse

The property, situated on a one way access road between Ordnance Road and Barnes Wallis Way, was built in 2016.

Prospect said it is conducting a 'thorough investigation' in to the incident.

No-one was injured, but the dramatic collapse has alarmed homeowners in the area.

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Faith Marriott MBE, a freelance consultant in criminal justice, lives in a home backing onto the affected property.

The gable end of a home in Byers Walk, Buckshaw Village, came crashing down at around 4pm on Monday (January 13)The gable end of a home in Byers Walk, Buckshaw Village, came crashing down at around 4pm on Monday (January 13)
The gable end of a home in Byers Walk, Buckshaw Village, came crashing down at around 4pm on Monday (January 13)

"I wasn’t at home when it occurred but my neighbour heard it come crashing down", said Faith.

"I was very surprised because it definitely wasn't windy.

"I believe on the night the resident wasn’t able to stay there as it wasn't safe.

"Scaffolding is now up but I note that the gable side showed no indication of being keyed into anything.

The collapse led to bricks and breeze blocks crashing down into a neighbouring access roadThe collapse led to bricks and breeze blocks crashing down into a neighbouring access road
The collapse led to bricks and breeze blocks crashing down into a neighbouring access road
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"My home is not a Prospect, but my neighbour lives near there in a Prospect home and she said she’s had a lot of problems and wants answers.

"It is very alarming."

In images taken of the stricken home, heaps of rubble can be seen strewn across an access road at the rear of the property.

On Wednesday morning (January 15), the home had been clad in scaffolding as inspectors in hi-vis jackets attended.

Prospect Homes said its inspectors are conducting a "thorough investigation" into the worrying incidentProspect Homes said its inspectors are conducting a "thorough investigation" into the worrying incident
Prospect Homes said its inspectors are conducting a "thorough investigation" into the worrying incident

A spokesperson at Prospect Homes said: “A home at the Buckshaw Village development suffered structural damage following extreme weather conditions earlier this week.”

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“Thankfully no one was injured and our experts are conducting a thorough investigation.”

Councillor Alistair Morwood, who is responsible for public protection at Chorley Council, said: "We are aware of the incident and have attended the property.

"The matter is now in the hands of the owner and developer and we will remain in communication with the developer involved."

Related topics:NeighboursBuckshaw VillageTesco