Eyesore 200-home ghost estate in Gainsborough overrun by yobs after being left abandoned

Construction on the 220-home estate in Gainsborough, was paused nearly three years ago leaving the shells of dozens of hollow structures.

The development was intended to become a bustling marina, featuring swanky cafes, shops and restaurants, along with brand new apartment blocks.

But locals living nearby claim the 9.46 acre construction site has now become a hotspot for teenage gangs staring fires and daubing graffiti.

Ali McDonald, 40, lives opposite the eerie abandoned development and says she's had to phone the fire brigade three times since construction was paused.

Mum-of-one Ali, who works as a cleaner, said: “It's an eyesore, it's in front of my house. I can see it out of my living room every day.

“They've not done any work in about three years after working on it for about 18 months.

“We haven't been told anything, but we heard rumours that the firm had run out of money.

“There have been a few times where I've been leaving for work in the morning and had to call the fire brigade because of fires there.

“I've rang them three times and a neighbour has a few times. One time one of the machines that was left there was torched.

“We don't have a clue who it is, but we think it's teenagers going on there, hanging out the windows and going in the houses.

“One teenager had to have an ambulance because they fell out the window gap. He was holding onto the brick and slipped and fell. From what I got told he broke his arm.

“They need to make up their minds about what they're doing with it. Knock it down and flatten it, or rebuild it. They need to do something about it, because it looks horrible.

“We got told it was going to flats and a shop, but it could be anything now.

“Apparently someone bought it and pulled out. It was an empty field before, there were three houses there which were paid off so they could demolish them and build there.

“But they've left it looking like this.”

The brownfield land, which is set just off the River Trent, is up for auction with a guide price of £950,000.

Only 20 dwellings had their foundations laid out before workers packed up their tools nearly three years ago.

Another neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said the site looked unsafe and feared for kids playing there.

The woman said: “I don't know who's going to take this on but someone needs to, and they need to sharpish.

“I've lived here 11 years and what it's done is basically turn the area into an eyesore. It's the first thing you see as you come into town - you don't want that on your doorstep.

“We see kids or teenagers playing on there but it's unsafe. There's unfinished homes and they're empty inside. It's basically asking for something to go wrong.

“We need action to fix whatever this is soon, as I can't stand looking at it any longer.”

Lib Dem councillor Trevor Young, who represents the ward, said the council were trying to reach out to the landowner to come to an agreement.

He said: “It's having a negative impact on residents, not only for the residents opposite, but it's on the main route through Gainsborough.

“It's also having an impact for visitors coming into the town and how they see the town and for future investors.

“It doesn't paint a great picture.

“The site also presents a lot of health and safety issues. We've had instances of youths on that site. It's adjacent to a very large river. And the police have been involved.

“All building sites are dangerous, you shouldn't have kids playing around on them, someone will get hurt or worse.

“We've previously tried to get the landowner into the council, but he's refused to meet with us.

“The owner of the site has put this up for auction. We need to find a solution, hopefully a buyer will come forward.

“It had huge aspirations, it was supposed to be a marina. It would still be possible, but most of all we need those houses and someone coming forward to finish them.

“To be fair to the council they have put a lot of effort into making the town look nice, and this is having an impact on it.

“If you lived opposite it you'd think 'oh god' it's not very attractive having that site across from you. It is a massive eyesore for us."

Fellow Lib Dem councillor Lesley Rollings added: “Millions of pounds have been spent in Gainsborough town centre, businesses have been set up, but this site has been set up and just abandoned.

“People aren't seeing how attractive Gainsborough is. It's on the main road into the town and it's one of the first things you see.

“So many parts of the country people are desperate for housing. It changes people's perception of the town when they visit here, it's absolutely huge.

“All it requires is the council putting pressure on people to build or finish these. Housing is a national issue so there should be some drive.”

West Lindsey District Council were approached for comment.