THE dream of moving into a brand new home turned into a nightmare for an Ilkley couple who claim they were let down by a housing developer.

But the developer told the Gazette that it was not at fault and insisted that it had maintained its high level of customer service to the couple.

Paul and Janine Heptonstall had already complained to developer Magellan over delays in moving into their new house in Academy Court, on the former Ilkley College site, because it had not been built in the time they were advised it would be.

But they told the Gazette their worst troubles were only just beginning when their solicitor received a completion notice from Magellan last Friday.

Mrs Heptonstall said that the receipt of the completion notice meant that their building society had to pay the developer for the house and they had to move out of their former home in Burley-in-Wharfedale, because a buyer had been waiting.

But Mr and Mrs Heptonstall said that despite having the completion notice and being told that the house was fit to move into, when they got there they discovered their £365,000 new home in the former Wells House annexe was far from complete. The problems they encountered included:

l Bathrooms not properly plumbed in.

l Floor covering had not been laid.

l Internal decoration had not been completed.

l Tiles had to be refitted.

l The steps leading up to their front door still had scaffolding around them instead of railings.

l The whole house was filthy with mud.

Instead of simply moving in, the couple said they had to put the bulk of their furniture in storage, spend the whole of last weekend cleaning the floors and walls, put their cat in kennels and lodge with friends while the work was completed.

They also had to cancel carpet fitters who had been due to put down carpets - a move which could cost them extra money.

Computer consultant Mr Heptonstall, 41, said: "It is just an absolute shambles. The house was supposed to be complete."

The couple said they were warned that if they didn't comply with the completion notice and pay up, they could have been in breach of contract..

As they finally moved into their house yesterday (Wed) the Heptonstalls told the Gazette that they had a meeting with a Magellan representative who asked them to give them a list of the out of pocket expenses they had incurred over the delayed move.

On Monday, Mrs Heptonstall said: "We are paying a mortgage and staying with friends. My husband and I have spent two 12 hour shifts just cleaning.

But a statement sent to the Gazette, the housing developer denied any fault.

It said: "It is company policy for Magellan not to discuss Customer details with the press, however due to the extent of the repeated complaints by Mr Heptonstall, Magellan has decided to make an exception on this occasion.

"Magellan's Commercial Manager met with Mr Heptonstall last week and advised him of the items that would be outstanding on completion, which he accepted. As a reassurance Magellan agreed with Mr Heptonstall's solicitors that a retention (a sum of money of around £3,500) would be held until the completion of these items. If the property was not "fit for purpose" Mr Heptonstall's solicitors would have advised him not to complete.

"The items were as follows:

Bathrooms - two out of the three bathrooms had shower cubicles, which were not completed, 'not completed' to mean that the shower screens were not yet in place. As a result of this the paint work and tiling in these two bathrooms was not finished and would not be until the screens were fitted. However two baths in the house and one shower were available for use.

Flooring - the downstairs hallway and study had vinyl floor coverings, which due to delivery delays, were still to be fitted.

Railings - temporary railings would be in place.

By the time this article is published, all outstanding items will be completed."

Yesterday Mrs Heptonstall said nearly all the outstanding inside work had been completed leaving some outside work to be finished off.

The Magellan spokesman said: "Magellan would like to stress that at no time has the level of customer service to Mr Heptonstall been compromised. Mr Heptonstall has at all times had full access to the sales team and to Dale Eddison Estate Agents.

"Magellan has incorporated, and continues to incorporate, Mr Heptonstall's special requirements on a regular basis."

The couple said that a representative of Magellan told them that the house had been completed to an acceptable standard. "But when we turned up there were 15 workmen still here." said Mrs Heptonstall.