A social housing specialist is seeking approval to bulldoze 38 homes in Stretford which have been the target of anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

L&Q has asked Trafford Council’s planning department to determine whether it needs permission to demolish the homes on Highfield Close.

The company owns and manages the homes which it says are in a poor state of repair and ‘no longer fit for occupation’ primarily due to structural issues which were identified in 2018.

A covering letter from agent Euan Kellie to the officers published on the council’s planning portal says: “All of the properties have been empty since October 2023 and since this time they have attracted a number of instances of anti-social behaviour and vandalism, which L&Q has reported to the council.”

The housing association says it is currently assessing potential development options for the land currently occupied by the houses as part of wider proposals for the Stretford area.

“In the meantime, L&Q wishes to demolish the properties, which is considered necessary from a health and safety perspective and to minimise the risk for any further anti-social behaviour occurring,” the letter goes on.

“It is anticipated that the land will remain vacant for at least 12 months following deletion of the properties.”

Demolition works are expected to take about eight weeks to complete and cannot be started until utilities like gas, electricity and water have been disconnected.

The letter says that an ecological survey and assessment, which includes bat survey, has been carried out and that the proposed demolition would be ‘acceptable’.