More than two years after planning permission was granted for 274 new homes in Ordsall, Salford, the site remains an empty, fenced-off wasteland that residents describe as looking like a 'bad day in Beirut'. The scheme, managed by the council's development company Dérive, was expected to have its first residents moved in by now, but not a single brick has been laid.
Residents express frustration over delays and lack of communication
Branwen Dale, a local resident, said: 'It's symptomatic of the development around Ordsall and the way local people are being treated. It's been a very, very long time that we've been told "Oh yeah, it will be developed", but then the can keeps getting kicked down the road.' She added that the area had become a 'miniature forest' full of wildlife before trees were cleared in summer 2024, leaving 'an absolute wasteland'.
Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: 'Everybody who lives next to it is fed up with it. We have kept on saying "Can we have an update", but we are being gaslit. It's always jam tomorrow. No-one will give us an answer and all the while it looks like a bad day in Beirut.'
A third neighbour commented: 'When I moved in it was all trees, people walked their dogs there. It was always obvious it was going to be developed, but it was lovely. Then the steamrollers came in and they ripped all the trees up and now it looks like a nuclear holocaust. There was dust blowing everywhere, the noise was horrendous, but we thought "Fine, they'll be building houses". I'm not a NIMBY, we need social housing, but you have to build them. You can't just flatten it and leave it derelict. It's been abandoned and we've been abandoned.'
Council correspondence reveals viability challenges
Correspondence from Salford Council's housing strategy and enabling department, seen by the Manchester Evening News, explains that high costs of 'abnormal items' on the site and the 'high specification' of planned net-zero housing have made it difficult for the authority and builder Seddon Construction to agree a viable scheme. The letter states: 'We are continuing to work with Seddon and funders to see how we can bridge any viability gap and have had positive discussions which suggest an agreement can be made in July.'
The plans include 100 affordable homes in one of the city's most deprived areas. The two plots off Robert Hall Street were previously home to a school and a shopping precinct. Groundworks were carried out in summer 2024, but since then the site has remained fenced off and empty.
Council promises construction start in late autumn
A council spokesperson said: 'The council has been progressing a number of housing developments in Ordsall through its local housing company, Dérive, including the Robert Hall Street site, which secured planning permission for 274 new homes in March 2024. Significant enabling works have now been completed to prepare the site for construction. As these complex preparatory works have progressed, they have taken longer than originally anticipated, ensuring the site is fully ready for development.'
The spokesperson added: 'The council is now working closely with Seddon Construction to finalise costs and funding with partners, enabling the council to enter into contract. Subject to these final steps, work is expected to start on site in late autumn, delivering the first phase of 144 new homes.'
