Residents on a problem-torn luxury housing development were celebrating a double boost today.

British Waterways has taken over the canal basin near their homes to develop the area for community and leisure.

And the Local Government Ombudsman has agreed to launch an official investigation into their allegations of Bradford Council maladministration over the development at Tenterfields, Apperley Bridge.

Families on the £25 million development say they have faced a mountain of problems since they moved into their prestige homes three years ago.

A main feature of the development - described as a picturesque babbling stream - has occasionally spewed sewage and they say other work, including landscaping and lighting, has never been completed.

The families, who have now formed an official association, have strongly criticised Bradford Council over enforcement procedures.

The situation has been complicated because the original developer, Maltsword, went into administration.

Today, British Waterways manager David Blackburn confirmed that they had bought the canal basin and were advertising for boat owners as tenants.

He said it would be their only basin of its type in Yorkshire and they hoped to hold events and develop it as a community facility. He said they would also appoint staff to look after it.

Maltsword administrators and major house builders say they are doing everything possible to address the issues.

Today Marcus Romer, chairman of the newly-formed residents' association, said it was double good news for the estate.

"We are supplying the Ombudsman with the information and they know it needs to be brought to a speedy conclusion.

"It is very good news about the marina. We want all the problems here sorted out in the right order."

Ward councillor Jeanette Sunderland (Idle, Lib Dem), who took the complaint to the Ombudsman on behalf of the residents, welcomed the decision to investigate the complaints.

She said the criticism of the Council centred on key planning conditions and enforcement.

The Council did not want to comment.

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