Henbrook Gardens, B60

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

It’s a lovely area to live in nice walks views people locals but if you don’t drive it can be a nightmare the bus is unreliable and gotten a lot worse. Parking can be a nightmare as there isn’t much at all no traffic noice really. The estate is built ontop of each other so expect to hear everything that goes on

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Poorly as you can never speak to anyone it’s constant emails back and forward

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Don’t bother with the garden spent loads on it and the leather jackets have destroyed it yet again

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

I love the estate we live on my street neighbours and people in the estate are all very friendly and nice people. Parking is always a issue as it’s very limited and very tight spaces. Bin collections especially the grey bins I don’t feel are collected enough once every two weeks there always a over flow. With a big fly problem it’s hell in the summer. It’s very quiet no anti social behaviour or traffic noise. The pub and social club are lovely people that own it are lovely too. As far as the shop goes it’s shocking. It doesn’t stock your bare essentials let alone babies stuff nappies or even calpol. Most of the stuff they do have is out of date as I don’t drive I would expect my local shop to have the essentials of everyday life that people need. The bus service is every hour and I think that needs to be more frequent especially when it stop running in the middle of the day when you need to do school runs when you don’t drive is almost impossible I think the school needs to be expanded also as it’s not big enough for everyone also a nursery needs to be opened up closer to here. Also on our street it’s the only one with out a road name still.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Fly problem and local shop and transport not being that great

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

This is a lovely, quiet residential estate. I'm not aware of any A.S.B. so far and my neighbours are all very friendly and house-proud. This makes Henbrook Gardens a peaceful, pleasant and pretty area to live. There's average parking, as expected on newer designed housing developments. The only noises you tend to hear are from the builders as they finish construction. This was delayed due to Covid-19, so hopefully it'll end soon. At the moment it's a bit annoying cleaning your car or windows because they are dirty with 24 hours. Thank goodness it's temporary, especially in the summer as that "dust" gets inside the house too. Not all roads are "tarmacced" or finished yet so be very cautious if you want to avoid tyre damage. Again, this is just a temporary issue. Most delivery services can find the estate, so groceries, takeaways and online shopping is fine. The only downside is that a well-known taxi service cannot pick you up unless you wait at the local pub. Firstly, their maps are not up to date so they cannot locate any addresses here, and secondly, it means their food delivery service isn't available here yet either. It would help if name signs were put up on all streets here. There are name signs where there are no houses built yet and then nothing on streets where the houses have been occupied for over a year. Bin collections are fine, the street lights work, there are TWO pubs within 200m (yay!) and a local shop/post office can be found within about 1-1.5 miles (north or south) Unfortunately the bus service is not quite frequent enough for commuting or to the train stations and town centres of Bromsgrove or Droitwich. Hopefully this will improve now there's increased demand.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

There's a fly problem during the summer months. With a bit of trial and error, my neighbours and I have found an effective way to deal with this but knowing the root cause would be useful so we can find a permanent solution.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Very close to the M5 which proves useful for commuting. Walking routes along canal and local pubs.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

More info on broadband - didn’t know BT monopoly.

What is the best feature of your home:

Location on the development and spacious rooms in the house.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Good range of local shops Supermarket close by Not many bars and restaurants close Tawny grove is very nice

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Building management has been quick and professional with services provided

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

The timescale of future development of the site and housing