PERSIMMON Homes has respond to criticism by MP Robert Halfon over the quality of homes on the Gilden Park development.

As we reported on Wednesday, Mr Halfon asked the Prime Minister, Theresa May a question at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday in the House of Commons.

Mr Halfon said he recently met constituents who moved into Help to Buy homes built by York-based Persimmon.

He said the houses are shoddy and his constituents view Persimmon as “crooks, cowboys and con artists”.

A Persimmon spokesperson said: “We have apologised to customers on this development in Harlow, where manufacturing defects with a batch of blocks have created problems with damp. The block manufacturer has agreed that this is the likely root cause of the issue and have offered their sincere apologies.

“We are working hard to rectify the issue as soon as possible and are in contact with the residents on a daily basis. Persimmon has agreed to pay the mortgage payments, bills, and the temporary accommodation costs for affected residents while the problem is being addressed. We have also been in touch with Robert Halfon again today to arrange a visit to his constituency to meet him alongside the residents in Harlow.”