Connexus, a social housing provider based in Ludlow, Shropshire, faced significant criticism from residents living on Sandpits Avenue and Sandpits Close due to ongoing issues with refurbishment projects and controversial tree cutting incidents. The situation culminated in a community meeting on Wednesday, where Sara Woodall, Director of Customer Experience, publicly apologized and addressed the concerns raised by residents.
Residents aired grievances about substandard refurbishments that included poorly installed windows with gaps or bricked-up sections, walls and ceilings marred by cracks and holes, and severe mold problems that affected the health of occupants. These issues underscored frustrations over the quality of workmanship and the perceived lack of oversight from Connexus.
Ms. Woodall attributed these problems to a previous contractor, acknowledging delays and insufficient quality control measures that led to the need for extensive corrective actions. She characterized the situation as “one step forward, two steps back,” emphasizing the challenges in rectifying work that was initially completed poorly.
The controversy intensified earlier when contractors hired by Connexus cut down a tree inhabited by nesting birds and bats. This incident, which resulted in the death of some wildlife, prompted an apology from Connexus, citing safety concerns related to the tree’s condition. However, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) launched an investigation into potential breaches of wildlife protection laws, further complicating Connexus’ response to community concerns.
In response to the tree cutting incident, Connexus pledged to implement new measures to safeguard wildlife on the estate. These initiatives include installing swift boxes integrated into roof treatments, offering nest boxes to interested residents, and placing hedgehog homes across the site to promote biodiversity and mitigate future environmental impacts.
Local councilor Andy Boddington echoed residents’ frustrations and called for Connexus to collaborate closely with affected households to address the ongoing issues. He described the refurbishment project as a significant setback for Ludlow, noting the widespread dissatisfaction evident among residents.
Moving forward, Connexus continues to engage with residents and regulatory bodies to restore community trust and improve living conditions on the estate. The provider aims to enhance communication channels and transparency in project management while ensuring that future initiatives prioritize both quality construction and environmental stewardship.
This ongoing dialogue underscores the challenges faced by social housing providers in balancing community needs, regulatory compliance, and environmental responsibility amidst complex refurbishment projects.