A new housing estate has been left abandoned after the developer's costs spiralled out of control. Bridge View, a company from Exmouth, claimed that delays by the council led to them racking up £1.2m in interest payments, making it impossible to continue the work.

Homes at the estate in Calstock, Cornwall, have been boarded up and left empty as Bridge View remain locked in a stalemate with Cornwall Council. It is now thought the development could be handed over to the lender.

Michael Wight, the director of Bridge View, accused the council of "weaponising" legal agreements. He claimed that officers had added extra requirements to the plans, such as a second road and a £750,000 retaining wall.

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Speaking to the BBC, Mr Wight said that their budget was "eroded" as a result. The council stated that they are actively engaged in discussions with all parties involved, adding that issues with the development have been ongoing for several years.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: "The council is committed to working with developers that have been granted planning permission to ensure that a housing development, and the agreed number of affordable housing homes, are delivered in line with the planning permission."

"Issues with this development have been ongoing for several years and the Council has done all in its power to work with the company however, we must adhere to local and national planning policy, including local neighbourhood plans."

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New homes are boarded at Bridge view Calstock, Cornwall because of a planning stalemate between Cornwall Council and the developers. Photo released March 20 2024. A newly built housing estate has been deserted and left boarded up amid a planning row. Pictures show 33 homes on the plot in Calstock, Cornwall, left abandoned after the developer's costs snowballed out of control. It's claimed the council delays resulted in the firm accumulating £1.2 million in interest payments and can no longer afford to continue the work. Homes on the site have been boarded up and left. It's believed the development could be handed over to the lender.

"The council remains in active discussions with stakeholders to find a solution to secure the delivery of the development, including the vital affordable housing element."

Local parish councillor Dorothy Kirk told the BBC that it's "a tragic situation where everybody loses". She continued: "I hope somehow we can rescue it.

"We have to find a solution, end of. I don't want Calstock to be deprived of homes, I don't want to see the developer lose everything.

"It's been a long, expensive and difficult journey. We have to have houses for local people."