By ANNE GIBSON
Three people who bought into a proposed Albany terrace-style housing project are beginning to regret migrating here from South Africa.
Barry and Tersia Todd of Browns Bay and Jean Hemmings of Paremoremo paid initial deposits for units in the proposed 70-unit Modena Park complex on Oakway Drive at Albany.
Jean Hemmings came here three years ago and the Todds two years ago but all are disappointed with their attempts to buy property.
"We bought places off the plans a number of times in South Africa but we come to squeaky-clean New Zealand and have all these problems," said a disenchanted Tersia Todd.
Modena Park was marketed extensively in 2002 but its builder, Link Construction, went under late last year.
Units sold from $155,000 with no cash deposit needed but the plans promised decks, courtyards, a tennis court and pool.
The Todds and Jean Hemmings expected to move in last year.
But the on-going sight of bare land and no machinery on the 17ha block left the three upset.
The months dragged by and letters were exchanged between their lawyers and Knight Coldicutt, representing the developer Hurstmere Group which is not registered with the Companies Office, although Hurstmere Ltd is registered and its director is Ita Vuletic.
The Todds and Jean Hemmings said they had dealings with Vuletic over the Modena townhouses but they were unable to find out what was going on. Vuletic did not return Herald calls on the project.
Barry Todd has a thick file of letters exchanged between his lawyer and Knight Coldicutt but does not yet know what his legal bill will amount to.
Jean Hemmings got her $23,000 deposit back but the Todds say they are still owed the initial $1900 they paid as a deposit bond for their townhouse.
But the three said they were mainly disappointed about the on-going promises that development would start soon and the lost opportunity caused by the delays.
Migrants faced runaround over failed project
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