'Disappearing lake has left us with a muddy mess'

INVESTIGATIONS are continuing into why a man-made lake drained away – more than four years after the problem was first reported.

The lake on the site of Redrow Homes's Lakeside View development, in Etruria, attracted a host of wildlife when it was built five years ago.

But the water disappeared one night in 2004. Since then, the view from the homes of many residents has been of a weed-filled ditch and metal fencing.

And families – some of whom paid thousands of pounds more for a house backing on to the lake – say they are still no closer to finding out if the lake will ever be restored to its former glory.

Redrow says it is monitoring the water level at the lake.

But Louise Webb, aged 43, of Mere Side Close, said: "It's been going on for four years now and what they are telling us is a load of rubbish.

"The lake drained out when they pulled up oak trees in December 2004, which had roots that had been in the ground for tens of years.

"The roots were acting as a dam but when they pulled them out, that is when the water started to vanish.

"We paid up to £6,000 more for this house which backs on to the lake because we wanted the view, and all we can look out on is a muddy mess.

"The lake fills up when we have rainfall but then the water will start to disappear again."

The estate has not yet been adopted by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, because Redrow has not completed work on the site's infrastructure.

Mrs Webb said: "We pay council tax but the council is not maintaining the estate because it's not been adopted.

"The only thing they do is empty the bins. We are probably due a four-year council tax rebate."

Dave Martin, chairman of Etruria Residents' Association, said he had heard a rumour the lake could be filled in and built on.

He said: "Residents would be up in arms if that happened. People moved into the homes expecting a lake and that's what they deserve."

The lake was created when a marlhole under the site was capped off, but residents claim the clay lining needed to keep the lake watertight was only applied to three of the four sides.

Councillor Adrian Knapper, Stoke-on-Trent City Council portfolio holder for economic development, said the council would look at adopting the estate once the issues were resolved.

He said: "The developer is carrying out investigations to determine why the level of the water has dropped, and has given reassurances that once the problem has been identified it will be fixed."

A spokesman for Redrow Homes said: "We are currently monitoring the water levels and developing a robust design to resolve the residents' issues regarding the lake at Lakeside View."