THE housing association behind the fiasco of homes built out of place in Hemel Hempstead says the situation was blown out of proportion by the fevered election climate.
Hightown Praetorian and Churches came under fire last year after three of six developments in Bennetts End were found to have been built incorrectly.
Houses were larger than shown in the plans, some were out of place by 60cm, and a scheme in Horse
lers had to be pulled down and built again.
Hightown has admitted mistakes were made but says the issue became politically charged during last year's local elections.
Chief executive David Bogle said a head had rolled as a result of the mistake.
"At the end of the day they weren't built in the right position. Hightown was wrong. Hands up. We pulled them down and started again," he said.
"We had to decide whether to go back for planning permission or try and get away with it.
"Someone made the decision we could get away with it. That person is no longer here.
"I don't think anyone is hugely affected by those homes being a few centimetres bigger."
Mr Bogle said candidates in the election picked up on residents' resistance to the new homes.
"We were in the middle of an election. There were people who were unhappy about it," he said.
"Unfortunately we were in an election situation."
He added: "It's one of those things that happen when you're building quickly and not everyone follows things to the letter.
"We built 300 homes in Hertfordshire last year and you have to expect some difficulties.
"Hopefully we've learnt from it."
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