A HOUSING developer has responded to the complaints of a Radcliffe couple who claimed their dream home had turned into a house of horror.

As reported in last week's Bury Times, 38-year-old Mr Mark Grace was so upset with the condition of his Elite Homes property in Sycamore Drive that he commissioned an independent survey.

But Elite Homes land director, Mr John Wraeg says he has not seen the report.

He said: "If Mr Grace shows us a copy of the report we will address the points in it,"

Mr Grace claims that there are a host of problems with the property, where he lives with his wife Jenny, 45. They paid £82,500 for the house and moved in last July.

Mr Wraeg conceded that there were problems with the house but maintained that they were not on the scale claimed by Mr Grace.

The main point of contention has been plumbing repairs in the bathroom, loft and a domestic hot-water cylinder cupboard. Mr Grace puts the overall cost of all repairs at between £7,000 and £14,000.

Mr Wraeg said: "We don't know exactly what is wrong because Mr Grace has not forwarded a copy of the report.

"But I am intrigued as to where he got the figure from."

Eccles-based Elite Homes offered Mr Grace a choice of three plumbers to do the work in January but an impasse ensued when he chose a fourth one independently.

Mr Wraeg said: "It is very fashionable to 'knock' builders. It goes with the territory. But the situation with Mr Grace is the exception rather than the rule. It is an unfortunate episode. We want the report; we want to do the work."

For the Graces the last straw came when a floorboard collapsed under Mrs Grace. They decided to take legal action.

"We want all the repairs carried out to our satisfaction and compensation for the money we have spent," said Mr Grace.

He added: "The company had the keys from the end of July until February and have put right only five of the 65 problems. And we are encountering new problems as time goes on.

"An inspector from the National House Building Council said that remedial work on the front of the house is not up to standard."

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