Inside the deserted UK new-build estate that looks like a scene from the Wild West – as locals blast ‘disgusting’ delays

OVER 100 homes are lying empty in a new UK housing estate due to “unfinished wiring”. Development of the neighbourhood, which includes dozens of homes earmarked for social housing, has reportedly slowed in recent months. Over 100 homes are currently lying empty in a new housing estate in Salford Credit: MEN Media Only a dozen homes in Longshaw Drive, Salford are currently occupied Credit: MEN Media Longshaw Drive in Little Hulton, Salford consists of 177 homes, however, only a dozen are currently occupied. The estate was supposed to be completed earlier this year, with households ready to move in. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! One of the few current residents described the neighbourhood as “a bit creepy”, reports Manchester Evening News. Visiting the site, the outlet compared the almost empty estate to a “setting of a Western shootout”. Longshaw Drive was previously praised as Salford council’s ‘largest social housing project in 50 years’ Credit: MEN Media The development has reportedly slowed down due to electrical issues Credit: MEN Media Once praised for being part of Salford council’s “largest social housing project in 50 years”, Longshaw Drive includes 93 council houses, with another 20 set aside for shared ownership, and 42 for private sale. Dérive Registered Provider is heading the project, with a source telling Manchester Evening News that the delay has lost the local council “up to £1million”. The company is currently under investigation for mismanagement, however, the town hall has said the empty houses are categorically “not part of the investigation”. Longshaw Drive saw the first set of homes signed over to Dérive in June 2025, with residents moving in from September. Most read in The Sun Since then, progress on the remaining homes appears to have been slowed down. With more than 4,000 households currently waiting for social housing, locals have shared their frustrations over the delays. One mum who is currently residing in temporary accommodation told Manchester Evening News: “It’s quite disgusting that they have so many people waiting yet delays like this aren’t being dealt with properly.” Meanwhile, a source told the outlet that the delays are due to “missing electricity certificates” and “unfinished wiring”. A spokesperson from Dérive Registered Provider previously said: “We acknowledge that it has taken longer than anticipated to bring a number of properties to market. “This is for a range of reasons including bespoke adaptations for residents and electrical safety tests, as well as typical construction matters for a project of this scale and complexity. “But we have and are working through this and are delighted to be letting homes to people.” The rep added: “In total, 57 social homes have been let in the past six weeks. “More homes are expected to become available in August once all remaining internal works on the water supplies have been completed, and these will be advertised through the Salford Homesearch website.” The Sun has reached out to Dérive Registered Provider for comment. Comment now