Locals have blasted the decision to demolish a new-build ghost estate as ‘shameful’ after developers announced the half-built homes will be ripped down.
Meadow Grange estate in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, was going to add 131 new homes to create a mini village with specialist ‘flat pack’ houses.
But when one of the developers fell into administration, it was because of these specialist designs that another contractor could not be found.
So work ground to a halt in 2023, leaving the site in tatters. In the past year, weeds have sprouted up all over the area, and underlay sheeting over unfinished roofs of homes has broken away in the wind, allowing rain to pour in.
On top of that, the five ‘almost complete homes’ also failed to meet the necessary regulatory requirements, including for fire safety.
Locals condemned it as ‘pouring money down the drain’ and blasted the decision to bulldoze the entire thing when so many young people are struggling to get on the property ladder, with one labelling the move ‘crazy’.
The mixture of two, three and four bedroom homes – which include many already fitted out with kitchens and bathrooms – are due to be knocked down to ground level next month
Building work on the mini-village stopped in June last year after the joint developer Ilke Homes, which produces flat pack houses, went into administration
Locals have blasted the decision to demolish a new-build ghost estate as ‘shameful’
Meadow Grange estate in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, was going to add 131 new homes to create a mini village with specialist ‘flat pack’ houses
The site is overgrown with weeds and tarpaulin covering the scaffolding of the homes has broken away over time after the building work stopped last year
Building work on the mini-village stopped in June last year after the joint developer Ilke Homes, which produces flat pack houses, went into administration.
Flat pack homes are manufactured off-site in sections and then are shipped and assembled easily where the houses are going to be.
Photos from the Meadow Grange development show flags advertising the new-build development now in tatters. The site is overgrown with weeds and tarpaulin covering the scaffolding of the homes has broken away over time.
The mixture of two, three and four bedroom homes – which include many already fitted out with kitchens and bathrooms – are due to be knocked down to ground level next month.
This is so that the foundations can be kept and they can be re-built using more traditional methods.
While some locals can understand why it would be too much effort to continue the work due to the condition of the homes, another complained: ‘It can’t be that hard!’
A disappointed MP added that he had hoped the development would have provided the ‘crucial social housing that we have needed for years’.
While Southend has historically has a lot of rented accommodation, houses and guest houses, recently there has been a surge of homeless people moving to the resort town.
There is currently a waiting list for social housing in the area which is 1,213 long.
While some locals can understand why it would be too much effort to continue the work due to the condition of the homes, another complained: ‘It can’t be that hard!’
Some of the houses on the outside look finished but will be knocked down next month
When MailOnline visited the site, some doors and windows were boarded up while construction materials such as gates and bricks have been left strewn across the site which has a solitary security guard keeping curious onlookers away.
The entire estate is surrounded by eight foot high glossy hoarding boards, showing pictures of happy families and artist impressions of immaculate-looking new homes in a bid to attract buyers and tenants.
The Guinness Partnership had boasted that the new estate on Fossetts Way was ‘a new and exciting pocket of its own nestled between coast, city and countryside’.
Marketing material described it as ‘perfectly placed for everyone’ on the outskirts of Southend while close to a PureGym, a Waitrose, several schools and nearby train stations.
It is not known how much the houses on Meadow Grange estate were going to sell for but they are part of the government’s shared ownership scheme.
A local estate agent said they would estimate the two-bedroom flat pack builds would sell for around £350k with the top-end properties costing close to £440k.
Other homes from Guinness start at £60,000 while the average price for a traditionally built two bedroom house in Southend-on-Sea will set you back between £392,995 and £439,995.
Warehouse worker Chris Butler, 26, said: ‘It seems a bit crazy that they are coming down when we have such a need for new housing for young people in this country’
A sign advertising the new build estate Meadow Grange in Southend
Some of the roofs will have let in rain over the past year because of the ripped coverings
The organisation, which provides homes for rent and for sale through low cost shared ownership schemes, this week applied to Southend-on-Sea City Council for demolition orders
People who had reserved homes on phase one of the development said they were shocked to receive emails saying that it had been ‘cancelled’
Southend-on-Sea is a popular destination but recently has suffered a housing crisis
The other developer, The Guinness Partnership, had hoped to find a new contractor so that construction could quickly resume, but was unable to do so due to the specialist design of the mainly low cost homes on the estate.
People who had reserved homes on Phase One of the development said they were shocked to receive emails saying that it had been ‘cancelled’ and the developer had ‘ceased actively selling any properties’ on the estate.
The organisation which provides homes for rent and for sale through low cost shared ownership schemes this week applied to Southend-on-Sea City Council for demolition orders to knock down all the half-finished houses.
One local resident said: ‘It is an eyesore and it is fantastic that something is set to be done to actually finish it. But knocking down what appear to be perfectly good homes seems to be a waste of money. It is like pouring money down the drain.’
Warehouse worker Chris Butler, 26, added: ‘It seems a bit crazy that they are coming down when we have such a need for new housing for young people in this country.
Steph Payne, a supervisor at the nearby Lunch Box takeaway kiosk near the newbuild site
The five ‘almost complete homes’ also failed to meet the necessary regulatory requirements
Photos from Meadow Grange show flags advertising the new-build development now in tatters
The mixture of two, three and four bedroom homes – which include many already fitted out with kitchens and bathrooms – are due to be knocked down to ground level next month
‘Losing these places is going to be a massive blow for people trying to get on the housing ladder around here. I saw these places when building work started and I thought they looked great.
‘I just hope that they manage to get some decent homes built there at the end of the day.’
Steph Payne, a supervisor at the nearby Lunch Box takeaway kiosk, said: ‘When the building work was going on, we had loads of the builders coming here to eat for months which was great for business.
‘All of a sudden, they stopped coming when the building work stopped. It is a shame that someone can’t just buy the houses as they are and carry on so that the work done so far does not go to waste.
‘But if the buildings are not in a good condition, I guess the developers have no choice and have to knock them down. I am just looking forward to work starting there again.’
Michelle, 42, who works nearby said: ‘To be fair, the houses are probably in a pretty poor condition with no protection against the bad weather, so they are no longer able to be liveable inside.
‘But it is still a shame that they are coming down. It is a big bit of land, and it should not go to waste.’
When MailOnline visited the site, some doors and windows were boarded up while construction materials such as gates and bricks have been left strewn across the site
Marketing material described it as ‘perfectly placed for everyone’ on the outskirts of Southend while close to a PureGym, a Waitrose, several schools and nearby train stations
It is not known how much the houses on Meadow Grange estate were going to sell for but they are part of the government’s shared ownership scheme
Another local worker who only gave his name as Gary, 42, said: ‘It is shameful that good homes are going to be knocked down. It can’t be that hard to turn them into decent places where people can live.’
A spokesperson for The Guinness Partnership said: ‘When Ilke Homes fell into administration in June 2023, work had to stop on site.
‘We actively looked to appoint a new contractor, but due to the specialist design of Ilke’s factory-built modular homes this was not possible.
‘Following a survey by the National House-Building Council the five almost complete homes also failed to meet the necessary regulatory requirements, including for fire safety.
‘Without a contractor able to complete the scheme, we were left with no other option than to apply to the Council for a demolition order.
‘We are working for final approvals and work will begin next month and is expected to take four to five weeks to complete. The process will take the partially completed homes back to floor slab level, from which a new contractor will be able to complete construction using an alternative timber frame methodology.
‘This was not a decision we took lightly but, given the circumstances, if the current buildings are not demolished, we will not be able to resume construction work on site.
‘During the demolition we will make every effort to recycle what can be salvaged (such as kitchens and bathrooms) and, working with the local authority, these will be offered to community groups, schools or colleges in the local area.
A local estate agent said they would estimate the two-bedroom flat pack builds would sell for around £350,000
The entire estate is surrounded by eight foot high glossy hoarding boards, showing pictures of happy families and artist impressions of immaculate-looking new homes
The developer has ‘ceased actively selling any properties’ on the estate
A view of half finished houses and the foundations of homes yet to be built
‘We are committed to developing the site and building affordable homes and are looking to appoint a new contractor, as soon as possible and we hope work will re-commence on site by spring next year.
‘This is later than previously envisaged, which is due to the complexities of the site and the construction type.’
Martin Berry, a Labour councillor for St Luke’s ward on Southend-on-Sea City Council, described demolition as the ‘only option’ left.
He said: ‘I’m relieved that something is happening with the site. They’re hoping to start work on the site in spring next year.
‘I have asked for a meeting with the developers along with MP David Burton-Sampson, to make that the work does get done, and that we have more frequent updates.
‘There is still a long way to go but I hope at the end we can have the crucial social housing that we have needed for years. Demolition was the only option we were left with. It is not ideal, but I am hopeful that they will be able to find a partner to take this on.’
The marketing material for the site read: ‘All new homes at Meadow Grange are designed to be lower-impact thanks to modern construction methods and high quality finishes, with added extras like superior insulation to floors and walls to create warm, ventilated homes that are easy to heat and retain warmth.
The green glossy boards surrounding the newbuild estate advertise the homes for sale
Boards, fences and half finished homes have been an eyesore on the local area for a year
Many of the houses are already fitted with kitchens and bathrooms but will be torn down
Flat pack homes are manufactured off-site in sections and then are shipped and assembled easily where the houses are going to be
‘Complete with parking (including Electric Vehicle Charging Points) and private gardens, you have a space of your own inside and out.
‘Ready to move into, you only need to add the finishing touches to your new home.
‘Fitted kitchens are complemented by neutral wall and floor finishes throughout the home, whilst contemporary bathrooms are spaces to relax and recuperate. Select homes also feature ensuite bathrooms to the main bedroom.
‘Whether you’re a city dweller, an outdoor type, a culture buff or just someone who wants to make the most of your local area, Meadow Grange is perfectly placed for everyone.
‘Situated outside the city centre, homes at Meadow Grange offer a space of your own whilst close to the action and all the everyday essentials on your doorstep.’
Cllr Tony Cox of Southend Council, previously said: ‘It is very frustrating. The whole point of doing developments with the modular housing is that they would have been up by now and have people in them.
‘That clearly hasn’t been the case. I just hope they can find a partner as soon as possible to finish them off as we don’t want it to become an eyesore.’
