Macclesfield residents have slammed a developer for the damage caused to their homes by nearby construction.

Bellway Homes began construction on their new King's Quarter estate in 2019 to create "exceptional and quality living spaces", according to their website, yet neighbouring residents say the development is destroying more homes than it is building.

The development on the former King's School site, off Westminster Road, is allegedly causing damage to the nearby homes in Northgate Avenue and Brynton Road to the extent that entire gardens slip away and wardrobes are shaken out of place.

On the process that led to this and neighbouring developments approval by Cheshire East Council, Cllr Lloyd Roberts told Nub News: "There was little communications between residents, developers and councillors or planners meaning that both developments passed through with approval with little or no opposition."

"It is nothing short of scandalous," said Peter Whitham, a resident at Brynton Close whose varying issues and damages began from the moment excavation started two years ago.

"We could not tell where any works were going to stop…We were obliged to remain at home before Covid in order to be ready to confront the builders attacking our boundaries…We felt besieged."

The Whitham household and their neighbours have had severe water incursions that flood their gardens, to which the residents say Bellway responded by installing inadequate land drains and calling it a day.

The impacts of the development go beyond physical damage, says one Northgate Avenue resident.

Natalie Hinchliffe explains: "I have a special needs daughter and the constant vibrations are horrific especially to a child that doesn't understand."

Her home now stands with cracked walls, loose skirting boards and fixed wardrobes and shutters that now move on their own.

"I've emailed Bellway numerous times and I've been ignored," Natalie added.

A spokesperson for Bellway Homes denied the claims, saying: "We can confirm that we have received one unsubstantiated complaint from a local resident that we have responded to but as of yet, have not received any evidence of the allegations being made.

"We are confident that our robust approach to these works have not caused any damage to neighbouring properties but we will continue with our communications with nearby residents to address any concerns they have during construction."

Cllr Roberts said that "the only course of action left open to the residents would be through the courts. It is imperative that claims against the developer begin as soon as possible should any faults in resident's properties be found."

The Tytherington councillor added that Bellway Homes gave the council verbal assurances that they would rectify any damages caused by the works at no cost to the residents.

"When you think of the size of the company, and their profit margins, and the amount that it would cost to rectify our problems, it would just be a pittance to them really," said Kate Timble, one of the affected Northgate homeowners.

Along with many residents, Kate wants Bellway to help fix the damage they say the developer has caused. "It's the decent thing to do, if decency still exists," she added.

The Bellway Homes spokesperson said: "As a responsible developer, we take our responsibility to local residents very seriously during construction works on our sites.

"We have recently completed piling works on our Kings Quarter Development and these were done in conjunction with a Party Wall Surveyor and also our appointed geotechnical advisors who monitored the vibration works throughout. The levels of vibration recorded were below the British Standard criterion for potential cosmetic damage."