THREE cars were badly damaged when a wall collapsed on top of them in high winds.
And the owners have been angered with the wall-builder claiming: “It’s not our fault”.
Harron Homes, who constructed the two-metre wall at the housing development in Blackley, near Elland , had insisted the vehicle owners will have to claim off their own insurance.
But they changed their stance after the Examiner took up the residents’ case and have promised to consider paying for repairs.
The wall collapsed in Kingsbrook Drive.
Phil McDonagh saw his van written off by the damage and has been unable to work - ironically as a self-employed bricklayer.
“I do know a little about building walls and am furious that they claim it is not their fault.
“It was very windy but the wall was a double-skin wall and should not have come down. My van and two cars behind it have been badly damaged and in my case, written off.
“We have tried contacting Harron Homes. I moved in in March and it was them who built the homes and the wall, but now they say they can do nothing”.
Neighbour Isabelle Hannah has had her Renault Clio badly damaged by the collapsed wall and faces problems getting to work and getting her two youngsters to school.
She said: “The wall was built only a few months ago.
“If I claimed through my own insurance, as a working single mother with two young children, I would lose my no claims, my premium would go up and I would need to pay excess."
Harron Homes issued a statement which said: “A spokesperson for Harron Homes said, “Followng the clearing of debris to make the area safe for our residents a full investigation was conducted with a structural survey having been undertaken, which has confirmed the wall in question was built in accordance with current Building Regulations.
“We have today contacted each of the residents affected individually to advise them to forward their repair quotes for our consideration and are also making swift preparations to re instate the wall”.
It is a second blow to Harron Homes this week, as their work on a site in Crosland Road, Lindley Moor, has been halted by Kirklees Council because of flooding and mess on and around the site.
