SOME apartments in one of York's plushest flats development have been hit by defects, the Evening Press can reveal today.

A number of penthouse owners are still having problems with their dream homes at the £20 million Westgate Apartments, in Leeman Road - more than a year after the prestigious building opened.

Builders Bryant Homes have been working to solve problems with the apartments, some of which sold for prices up to £680,000.

A firm of surveyors commissioned to look into the difficulties at the building has expressed the opinion that there were issues "detrimental to the long-term use and life of the building".

A Bryant Homes spokeswoman today said there were "problems experienced by certain purchasers at the Westgate development", but the company was working to resolve those issues.

York-based millionaire businessman Paul Blanchard is still waiting to complete purchase on apartment 602. He agreed to pay £680,000 for the two-bedroom luxury home because of its tremendous views of the city.

He wants to buy the property on behalf of networking company Aegis International Ltd, which is looking for a York base to entertain clients and members.

Mr Blanchard, whose son - also Paul - is a Heworth councillor, said he felt the delays were nothing short of a "scandal".

He is part of an action group formed by angry residents.

He said: "We still want the penthouse. It is one of the most prestigious positions in all of York. Like anyone, buying anything, I just want it to be right.

"It is just absolutely unbelievable. Water comes through the windows when it is raining. It is not just a trickle."

Documents obtained from Mr Blanchard contain a report from York surveyor firm Lightly and Lightly, which inspected the affected apartments and drew up its findings in June on behalf of the Westgate Action Group.

Their 12-page preliminary study revealed:

water was penetrating the curtain walling of some of the apartments

water was penetrating the roof and dripping through the internal lining to the curtain walling and the ceiling

water was also affecting, and had affected, the domed roof of penthouses 602, 603, 607 and 608.

The report said the building "whilst it remains not effectively watertight is not fit for the purpose for which it was intended".

The problems were also highlighted in a letter by Tony Lightly, of Lightly and Lightly, to Westgate Action Group solicitor James Hodgson earlier this month.

Building control experts at City of York Council are also aware of "some issues concerning the Westgate development".

The Bryant Homes spokeswoman said: "Bryant Homes is aware of problems experienced by certain purchasers at the Westgate development and is working to resolve the situation as soon as possible.

"Some apartments have been affected by water ingress. Investigations revealed the cause to be a breakdown of the waterproofing to the bolts on the base plates supporting the balustrades.

"Due to the bespoke nature of the development, specialist sub-contractors are undertaking remediation work, which will be completed as soon as possible.

"Bryant Homes has not seen the survey report mentioned by the reporter and therefore cannot comment."

John Fowler, the council's head of building control, said: "We are aware that there are some issues concerning the Westgate Apartments and are working with surveyors who are acting on behalf of residents."

The Westgate building houses 114 apartments and penthouses, the majority of which are unaffected.

Updated: 10:34 Tuesday, November 04, 2003