Councillor Alex Campbell "utterly disgusted" with Persimmon Homes and says play equipment put up by the firm is "not safe"

Alex Campbell, who represents the Cowdenbeath ward, said he was “utterly disgusted” that the housebuilder has apparently been absent from the Blairadam Fields site since April and has not cleared the mess left after the building of 58 properties.

He told the Times: “The footpath is covered in mud. The grass is overgrown. Earth has spread on to the roads. I’m utterly disgusted by it all.

“Both council and private residents have been kicking off like hell over the condition they’ve left things. I’m also concerned for the children’s safety.

“They’ve placed this ‘Witch’s Tower’ piece of play equipment on unprepared ground. It should have proper matting. It doesn’t. It’s on uneven mud.

“It’s not safe for use. There has been a fence around it for two months now as they never completed the work they were supposed to. They’ve dumped it where they felt like.”

George Thomson’s property on Bluebell Grove looks onto the Witch’s Tower and he said: “I couldn’t believe it when I saw where they placed it.

"It looks right onto my back garden now. I don’t believe there was any consultation on what the kids wanted for the playpark space. It was just decided that this tower would be fitted, and even then, it’s not ready.

“That area should have been landscaped properly. The kids are simply climbing over the fence to get access to it. It’s dangerous at the top and they aren’t supervised.”

The mixed development is made up of 42 houses for social rent by Fife Council and a further 16 for private rent.

George said residents have stated their displeasure at the quality delivered by Persimmon Homes.

He said: “Council tenants have had loads of complaints regarding the state of their homes and with the land outside them. 

“Cement has been left on the gable ends and I know some homes that have had problems with drainage.

“They’ve left the site a total shambles. I’m fed up. I guarantee you if it was a fully private scheme the conditions would not be like this. Guaranteed.”

Councillor Campbell added: “I’ve asked Persimmon Homes for two site meetings to no avail. I don’t believe they have been on the site since April. 

“I’m hacked off and I won’t rest until this problem is sorted.”

Persimmon Homes did not respond when asked to comment.