THREE years ago a cul-de-sac was made picture-perfect by its caring residents who nurtured its manicured gardens.
Today Highfield Close is home to 38 decrepit bungalows forming a derelict ghost estate haunted by a deathly silence.
And now the cherished neighbourhood in Stretford, Manchester, is set for demolition next month.
Within 12 months, all of its friendly neighbours were gone – evicted forcibly from their homes and dispersed into nearby conurbations.
Each member of the over 50s community was told that they were at risk from damp, flooding and asbestos poisoning.
The Sun spoke to former residents this week and they all question those reasons for their sudden and distressing removal.
One resident, Tommy Bramhall, attempted to take his own life – just days after he was sent packing by then landlord Trafford Housing Trust.
The 66-year-old retired labourer said: “To see the place as it is now makes me feel very sad. It’s disturbing to see it like this.
“It’s like a town where everyone vanished suddenly for no apparent reason.
“I left here four years ago and I barely recognise it today. The vandalism that has taken place in all of our homes is hard to see.
“I prefer to remember it how it was, not how it is now.
“And the fact that all of these properties will be demolished soon makes me feel sick.”
Tommy’s happier memories are echoed by his former neighbour Michael Keogh.
The 81-year-old lived on the estate for 25 years before his removal from the ornate home he had cultivated for his family’s visits.
The former warehouse worker said: “My back garden was paved making it a real sun trap.
“My family used to visit, children and grandchildren, because of the warmth it gave to our days together.
“It really was a wonderful community. The atmosphere on the close made it a special place to live.”
He continued: “Some people were at the very end of their lives when they were forced out.
“When it was time to leave most people had been here for 20 years or more. Almost all of the women were in tears.”
Michael was the last to be evicted by Trafford Housing Trust because he insisted on being relocated in the nearby area.
I prefer to remember it how it was, not how it is now.
Tommy Bramhall
Trafford Housing Trust’s executive director of development, Graeme Scott, said in 2022 that his organisation wanted to “continue to offer quality homes of choice that meet the housing standards of the future and tackle the housing crisis.”
But Alex Lewis, 22, who moved to adjacent Highfield Road when he was 11 and witnessed the evictions reads the situation differently.
He said: “I am born and bred in Stretford. I know this area and I’ve seen all that has happened.
“It’s more than a travesty. The idea of damp and flood plains is trumped up nonsense.
“I’ve walked this area all of my life and have never seen any flooding.”
Corbyn Ashworth, 24, has lived in a caravan with his three dogs on Highfield Close since February after being unable to afford rent in supported accommodation on the road.
He said: “The ideas of damp and flooding aren’t right. The only thing they’ve got right is the asbestos roofing in the homes.
“But I work as a roofer and as long as you don’t break it up asbestos doesn’t have to be a concern.”
Salford Housing Trust has been subsumed by East London-based social housing developer L&Q.
The Sun has approached L&Q for comment.
