Crest Nicholson Opiniões 

I am a shared ownership leaseholder at Spectrum Development, Tunbridge Wells — a development built and sold by Crest Nicholson, who remain the freeholder under the Superior Lease dated 9 November 2020. I purchased in April 2021 and continue to live here.
Crest Nicholson appointed Specialist Property Asset Management Limited (SPM) as managing agent and — critically — appointed SPM's own founding director Alan John Sinnett as the sole director of Spectrum Residents Management Company Limited, the body responsible for overseeing SPM's expenditure. This was done while Sinnett simultaneously directed SPM itself, creating an undisclosed conflict of interest from the outset. Cascade Facilities Limited — a company sharing directors and addresses with SPM and connected to Sinnett through individuals bearing the same surname — was simultaneously appointed as company secretary of the oversight body, while also billing the development as a contractor. All of this is verifiable from Companies House public records. None of it was disclosed to leaseholders. Notably, following residents raising numerous specific formal queries about these undisclosed conflicts of interest, Sinnett and the connected directors of Cascade Facilities resigned from their respective positions in May 2026 — only to be replaced simultaneously by two new individuals appointed as directors of SPM, Cascade, and other connected contractor companies on the same date, while Sinnett quietly retained sole directorship of Spectrum Residents Management Company Limited — the oversight body which was designed to be handed over to residents upon completion of the development but whose transfer has been continuously delayed without justification, leaving the former director of the managing agent in control of the very body meant to oversee his successors.
Fire safety deficiencies have been formally documented since November 2022. In February 2023 Crest Nicholson acknowledged these failures in writing as HIGH RISK and committed in March 2023 to arranging fire door remediation. Neither commitment was honoured. It was only following residents' formal complaint to Kent Fire and Rescue Service's Building Safety Team in June 2026 — over three years after Crest Nicholson's own written acknowledgement of HIGH RISK — that some remedial actions were finally carried out.
Numerous roof leaks arising from a construction defect were identified in January 2023 — during the active NHBC Contractor Repair Warranty period. Rather than pursuing the warranty claim, costs were charged to residents by the SPM.
As freeholder, Crest Nicholson has active obligations under the Superior Lease to assist leaseholders in enforcing their rights— obligations they have not meaningfully discharged. Despite repeated attempts by residents and our landlord to engage Crest Nicholson on fire safety and management failures, obtaining any meaningful response has proved extremely difficult. Residents formally petitioned for SPM's replacement in 2023— a petition that Crest Nicholson disregarded without meaningful response. Formal proceedings before the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) are now underway.
I would strongly caution anyone considering a Crest Nicholson development to investigate the management arrangements, the identity of the managing agent, and any conflicts of interest within the management structure very carefully before committing to a purchase.

We have bought several new-build homes over the years, and this one stands above them all.

This was Alex’s first home. She is a newly qualified doctor moving to Norwich to begin her career, so the process could easily have felt daunting. Instead, Crest Nicholson and the entire team at Cringleford Heights made it calm, clear and genuinely enjoyable.

Katrina Donovan in the sales office set the standard from the outset. Nothing was ever too much trouble. She answered every question patiently and thoroughly, often going away to confirm detailed points about the specification, appliances and construction of the property. She replied outside normal working hours, helped us while Alex was away on holiday and showed a level of care and professionalism that was genuinely exceptional.

The wider team matched that standard. Paul in customer care came out personally and dealt with issues on the spot. Daren and Scott and the site team listened carefully to every point we raised and ensured that each one was addressed. Sophie Fitzgerald also became personally involved when needed. From the sales office and customer care team through to the site manager, tradespeople and senior management, every person we dealt with was professional, knowledgeable and determined to help.

No newly built home is completely without snags. We instructed an independent professional snagging company, which identified a number of relatively minor items, but nothing serious or remotely comparable to the horror stories sometimes associated with new builds. More importantly, Crest Nicholson took every point seriously and dealt with them promptly, constructively and without fuss.

The quality of the house itself has exceeded our expectations. The design, finish, energy efficiency and attention to detail are all of an exceptionally high standard. What has impressed us just as much is the team’s knowledge of the properties and how they are built. Whenever we have asked a detailed question, someone has understood it, investigated it properly and come back with a clear answer.

People often approach new build purchases with low expectations. Crest Nicholson, and particularly the Cringleford Heights team, have shown that those expectations are unfair.

If John Lewis built houses, they would build them like Crest Nicholson.

Thank you from Alex and from me. We recommend Katrina and the entire Cringleford Heights team without hesitation.

Very laid back letting us look at not only the show home but several available homes also.

Very constrictive in choices and not customer preference focused. More interested in selling than giving value for money. Very friendly staff, though.

Staff were lovely on the viewing of the Marlborough but the house itself looks nothing like the pictures. Poor quality. Worktops feel rough, bannister up the stairs was the same, stains on the carpet. Fag buts on the road, people wearing dressing gowns in the street. Dogs barking. The road just screamed anti social behaviour to me. CN want £490000 for that house and the garden has 6 foot high weeds covering the whole turf. Honestly put me off the whole of the Henley Gate development.

The sales advisor was very friendly and helpful

The ladies that manage the show house
We also like the location, close to the river and Windsor

Brilliant service overall

We recently reserved a house on Westcombe Park in Heybridge. From the minute we met him, Josh has been incredibly friendly, informative and helpful. He’s a credit to the company and a pleasure to deal with. Whilst we haven’t met, Leanne has also been a pleasure to speak with on the phone.

Buying a new home is a significant milestone, and my experience with Crest Nicholson at Whitehouse (Watling Fields) has been a very positive one.
While, like any new-build home, there were snags that needed attention, what really stood out was the level of customer service and aftercare provided by the team.
A special thank you to David Hope (Site Manager), who has been exceptional throughout the entire process. David has always been approachable, professional, and proactive in resolving issues. Every snag that has been reported was dealt with promptly. He is a fantastic representative of Crest Nicholson and consistently goes above and beyond to make sure homeowners are happy.
I'd also like to recognise Kelly (Sales Manager), who made the buying journey smooth from the very beginning. She was always friendly, responsive, and willing to help with any questions or concerns, making what can often be a stressful process feel much easier.
It's easy to focus only on problems when reviewing a new-build developer, but I believe it's equally important to acknowledge individuals who genuinely make a difference. David and Kelly have been a credit to Crest Nicholson, and their professionalism, communication, and commitment to customer satisfaction have left a lasting positive impression.
Thank you both for all your hard work and support. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Whitehouse team to anyone considering a new home.

The salesperson was excellent gave me all the information I needed but what spoiled the experience was the price of the house & the extras you have to pay for also the parking can be an issue if you get an inconsiderate neighbour

Kate was warm and quite able to explain the details I needed.

Henley Gate
Great properties.
Really helpful sales staff. Professional and knowledgeable about the properties they are selling.
I have a sale agreed on a property and Kelly was excellent, talking through every aspect of the property itself, the area, future developments, the end to end sales process. The aftercare process and left me with practically no questions to ask. Thank you Kelly 😊

Tadpole Garden Village. Not a Garden Village at all. Promise after Promise. Deadline after deadline. Crest take no responsibility or accountability for any issues. Keep making promises that this will be done, and then nothing. Passing the buck and making false promises they can't keep. This has been going on now for 10 years plus overall and the development is still nowhere near completion. STEER CLEAR OF ANY CREST DEVELOPMENT.

Great experience. Good customer service

We’ve just reserved a plot at Cringleford Heights in Norwich, and the experience has been fantastic so far. Katrina and Freya have both been incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and proactive. They’ve always been quick to answer any questions we’ve had, and their communication has been excellent throughout.

There was never any pressure or hard sales approach, just genuine support, allowing us to take our time and visit multiple times before making our decision. As first-time buyers, they’ve explained everything clearly and made what could have been a daunting process feel straightforward.

We are first time buyers weighing up options, we visited last Sunday and had a great interaction with the sales team. The lady on was great, made us feel listened to, talked us through options and made us feel valued despite us only looking at this stage, we dropped in again today with a follow up question and again fantastic customer service. We are seriously considering purchasing our first home with Crest.

Having lived in Tadpole for 4 years now, nothing has been completed. Work starts and stops, paths are left half-finished and dangerous when pushing a pram, and roads are still incomplete on sites that have been running for 10 years.

Crest can’t, and won’t, take responsibility for any of the work. Instead, they continue to palm it off to “other contractors”, and good luck getting a response from them via email as well.

It’s a one-star estate with a five-star price tag.