A housing estate that has been plagued with problems since building work started has hit another stumbling block - thieves have stolen all of the white goods that were due to be installed into family homes.
Washing machines and cookers were taken from a secure lock up on the Gaul Road site in March where builders have been working flat out to get the homes finished in time for a tenant moving date of May 27.
Also taken were fencing boards and diesel.
Tina Thompson, who led a campaign to get the homes finished as quickly as possible, said: “I couldn’t believe it when we heard.
“As if there haven’t been enough issues there, we have been promised, however, it will not affect the latest move date.”
A spokesman for Sanctuary Housing said: “A number of white goods were stolen from the site over the Bank Holiday Weekend.
“They were being stored all together on site and had not yet been installed in the homes.
“The goods are being reordered to arrive nearer to move-in dates to avoid any further issues.
“Investigations are still on-going, and we are doing everything we can to support the police.”
The estate completion is already 18 months overdue - families were originally told the 52-home estate would be ready for Christmas 2014.
But as the beleaguered site hit one problem after another families living out of suitcases were given a string of different completion promises.
Issues at the site have included sorting out contractors, legal agreement issues, drainage plan approvals, a tipper lorry crashing into the side of a property and now the latest thefts.
In an unprecedented move, Sanctuary took direct control over the project’s sub-contractors Langwith to instil a sense of “urgency” into the project.
A police spokesman said: “We are currently investigating reports of a non-dwelling burglary following a report made on May 6.
“It is believed the theft took place between April 30 and May 4.
“A selection of items, including ovens, washing machines, fencing boards and diesel were stolen.
“No arrests have been made.”
Anyone with information should call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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