Are pavements laid on new housing estates before the houses are built?

I have a damp problem on a side wall where the pavement has breached the damp course. The highways authority have washed their hands of it saying that the pavement was laid on the new estate before the council house was built (1979). They blame the house builders - i.e. the council. I do not believe that this is the case. Who's right? Are pavements laid on new housing estates before the houses are built?
Yes. Grading, road construction and underground service installation are all carried out before the holes go into the ground for new home construction.