This is a reality for residents living on the Millpool Meadows development in Sydenham who claim their dream homes have been spoilt by an "eyesore".

Development on the site started in 2000 and Phillip and Christine Kenny moved into their house in St Fremund Way shortly afterwards.

They have been waiting eight years for the view they were promised in brochures and have had problems with vandalism and anti-social behaviour at the builders' yard in front of their home.

The couple fear the trouble may return after Leamington builders AC Lloyd delayed completion of the site for two years as a result of the property slump.

Mrs Kenny said: "I am very disappointed because we moved to a lovely spot and the builders are well known in the town. I feel very disappointed when I sit in the lounge and see that view.

"AC Lloyd have been very good and have done everything I have asked them to do but it does not hide the view."

Mr Kenny fears putting building on hold may cause youths to gather at the yard and said: "We are concerned people will get into the yard and do damage and set fire to it.

"AC Lloyd have moved the fences back but we still have the same view.

"They are co-operating but at the end of the day the eyesore is still there."

Barbara and Les Edwards moved into their home, also in St Fremund Way, six years ago and expected to look out onto green, open spaces within a couple of years.

Four years on, the pair fear the wait may never be over and believe there are around £4million worth of unsold homes in the area and more which are yet to be finished.

Mrs Edwards, 68, said: "We don't know what is going to happen, it could be another three years before work even starts again.

"When we first moved in there was a lot of disruption and it was very noisy. It is a shame to think that will all start again.

"We are retired and don't have a car. We were supposed to have had a bus route put on here but that hasn't happened."

AC Lloyd managing director Alistair Clark said: "The estate is starting to mature very nicely with large areas of landscaping combined with the beautiful local nature reserve along the southern boundary.

"We do try and keep any disturbance from the building area to a minimum and the residents in the vicinity have been very understanding.

"The original plan was to have all the houses completed by 2010 and we are currently on schedule, although the programme for the final two years will be subject review as sales have slowed in the last couple of months.

"We are looking to launch a number of sales incentive schemes which will hopefully enable us to complete the development as soon as possible."

Mr Clark would not confirm the value of unsold houses but explained there were about twenty completed properties for sale, starting at around £130,000, and ten to 15 more which are in the process of completion. He said: "There is a housing slump which is not news.