A heartbroken and grieving daughter has slammed the Isle of Wight Council and Vectis Housing for a lack of communication after months of delays saw what should have been a momentous and happy occasion turn sour.
In 2021, an 18-year-old from Apse Heath (who has asked to remain anonymous), was successful in applying for 1 of the new build houses at Branstone Farm. She said she was delighted to have the opportunity to buy a house at such a young age with her mum and expected to be moved in by March earlier this year.
The move-in date has now been delayed 5 times, she said, and 2 birthdays later, at the age of 20, she is still no closer to moving – and now has a devastating loss to comprehend following the death of her mother.
Before the mother and daughter duo applied for the housing, her mum had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, but the pair believed they would have a long time together in the house. However, the mother’s health declined and in May this year, she died before even seeing the finished building.
The daughter has since been accepted for a mortgage on her own, but has planned for her grandmother to move in with her.
In a letter sent to the council, she said:
“I am greatly disappointed I never got to spend time in the house with my mother … I missed out on precious time with her due to the constant changing of moving dates and financial situation I have had to deal with.”
She has also hit out at the public relations campaign which deemed the rural housing and business park development as the ‘Jewel in the Vectis Crown’ when, as a housebuyer, it has been nothing but a very stressful situation. She said:
“I am highly disappointed in the communication from Branstone.
“We are left in a financial worry, we are left wondering whether we will move in before our mortgage offer runs out and risk losing the house we had our hearts set on.
“However, the council and news outlets are painting Branstone as a perfect housing project benefiting first-time buyers and making their moving process easy, which is entirely false.”
Vectis Housing has said it understands her frustration, and has been equally frustrated itself, but is confident at no point would anyone be lied to about the position of their purchase of housing. It said it has always passed on information regarding progress when they have received it.
Chief executive Martyn Pearl said there was always an element of uncertainty in new build sites so it is never possible to be exact about completion dates. He said many matters are controllable and some are not — like an issue providing electrical connections to the houses as it was in the hands of third parties. He said he was now ‘reasonably confident’ they would be in a position to complete with purchasers by the end of October.
Martyn said:
“Branstone does represent the jewel in the Vectis crown and I think it is fair to say that everyone who has been involved in it, or seen it, would agree with that.
“We would obviously have preferred the delays would have been avoided, but we continue to work tirelessly to ensure a completion date is reached as soon as possible.
A sad story and as someone who has lost a loved one in similar circumstances I fully understand her pain and sadness that the last few years of expecting to have something positive to look forward to with her dear mother hurts like hell.
However awful she must accept that the delay is not personal and that the wider world outside our own personal horror, pain and shattered hope, has to relentlessly march on , seemingly and often being uncaring to individuals undoubted sad, tragic situations
The world is very messed up atm and many people are suffering in various ways. It is horrible to hear but the world cannot alter its course no matter how desperate or deserving our needs
Aww poor u bird bird is the word
So yet another misleading listing by estate agents. How do they get away with listing properties that cannot be purchased or are wildy different than the descriptions? Is this an Isle of Wight thing as it is VERY prevalent over there??
Very sad and frustrating for her. Not sure why her age is of importance, some will use that as an opportunity to attack her. Which is sad reflection on modern life.
These delays, this is what you get when NIMBY lot rule the roost and say no to all and any development.
such a shame the way things havent happened for you.so sad about your Mums passing.love for your future with your grandmother.
Alas it is sad , but this just goes to show our council promises this that etc and fail 2 deliver….
They must have known when planning permission was given , island roads would have problems with exit and entry !!!!
50 mph doesn’t warrant that !
When it goes from 30mph from 50 mph no one takes any notice as I have witnessed ….
No wonder there are so many incidents there …
Take note to whom ever it may concern !!!!!!@
I witness the speed every day, def needs something doing to reduce speeding traffic especially now there is the new road in to new houses and Godards Brewery
House purchase is normally a very trying experience. Whether a private or council scheme.