tradespeople

He feels more experienced tradespeople "focused on attention to detail" are retiring and not enough new people are coming into the construction industry.

As well as individual tradespeople, organisations are also being targeted.

Swansea-based snagging expert John Cooper said the issues at Fern Meadow were common on new-build estates across the UK, with too few quality tradespeople to cope with the demand.

"The supply chain has dwindled but the demand for new homes has increased so it’s a fighting battle to get skilled tradespeople to finish the job," she says.

Estate agents, electricians and tradespeople have been warned they face prosecution if they help gangs convert the buildings to cannabis farms.