Inside the eerie ghost estate where every one of its 38 homes lies empty as they await demolition

An abandoned estate where once a close-knit group of locals called home now has overgrown gardens, heaps of rubbish in the streets and boarded-up windows.

Built-in 1947, the 38 one-bed houses on this cul-de-sac off Chester Road, Stretford, Greater Manchester, were once the pride of a tight-knit community of pensioners. But about eight years ago, whispers began their then-landlord Trafford Housing Trust intended to demolish around half a dozen homes. The reality, which emerged later, was even grimmer as all the bungalows were slated for demolition.

The trust cited the bungalows' location on a 'high risk' flood plain and construction issues leading to 'severe damp and mould problems'. Their plan was to relocate tenants and erect 'new high-quality homes'.

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Among the residents who once called it home was Michael Keogh. The 81-year-old, who was one of the last to leave, told Manchester Evening News: "Look at it now, it's desolate. It's very sad.

"When I first moved I thought it had real potential, the back garden was incredible. There were lots of trees and views over the fields. I spent quite a lot of money building a little courtyard and planting, so I had a nice place to sit out. It was such a nice community.

"The gates went first, then it was the lead flashing. It was bad enough when they ripped out the front doors and back doors, but then they got ransacked again and again. I was lucky, I just moved round the corner, but a lot ended up in Davyhulme or Urmston."

The estate which was his home for a quarter of a century has turned into a ghost town. Over the past months, the bungalows have been a prime target for vandals and metal thieves. Mr Keogh says racist and far-right graffiti has marred some of the buildings.

The bungalows are scheduled for demolition, with a sign on a lamp post indicating that the work should have been completed by August 1. In the interim, a caravan has appeared by the roadside, the current abode of a man named Corbyn and his dog.

After moving onto the street in February due to the unaffordability of rent at a supported accommodation block nearby, one resident is voicing discontent over demolition plans, saying, "It's an insult when you have so many people waiting for housing," He laments the situation, adding, "It all boils down to the fact we have privatised housing - we've privatised everything."

Graeme Scott, representing Trafford Housing Trust in 2022, expressed intentions to "continue to offer quality homes of choice to meet the housing standards of the future and that help to tackle the housing crisis."

However, the trust has since been absorbed by East London's LandQ, with Ben Townsend from LandQ in the North West saying: "We still plan to demolish the bungalows as per our previously submitted proposals, but unfortunately it has taken longer than we expected to disconnect all the utilities.

"As soon as this work has been completed we will progress our plans to hoard off the site and demolish the properties. We are considering a range of options for the future of the site following demolition, and will consult with local residents and stakeholders when we have clearer plans."

"We are keen to support ongoing regeneration in Stretford and to work closely with Trafford council. Tackling the housing crisis is key to LandQ, and we aim to create more and better homes that will improve residents' lives."