The UK ‘ghost town’ where last few residents say ‘we can’t get out’ (2025)

Imane said only half of the flats are being lived in (Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga / MyLondon)

A once-bustling estate is East London now seems to echo with emptiness. On the Gascoigne Estate, in Barking, only a handful of residents appear to remain in the older parts of the development, while much of it stands empty and in decline.

For these remaining tenants, they've said that life has become increasingly difficult amid deteriorating conditions, rising crime and uncertainty about when they will be relocated. Dovehouse Mead, one of the estate’s few occupied sections, is home to residents who say they find themselves trapped in crumbling flats, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reported.

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For these remaining tenants, life has become increasingly difficult (Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga / MyLondon)

Originally built in the 1960s and currently undergoing phased regeneration, the Gascoigne Estate has reportedly seen most of its original council tenants move out. Many former residents who owned their flats through the Right to Buy scheme have also left, leaving the estate eerily quiet.

Residents still living in blocks like that of Dovehouse Mead describe their homes as suffering from severe mould and damp, with some going as far as painting and cleaning repeatedly just to keep their living spaces bearable.

They say repairs and maintenance are minimal, as the council has announced plans to demolish these buildings but has yet to provide a clear timetable for relocating tenants.

Imane Fardi told the LDRS: "Because the council has accepted they're demolishing the buildings, it's like they're accepting it to just let it be and not make any changes but that's not right.

"Either move my family or continue maintaining the estate, you can't leave my family here and not maintain the estate - it's inhumane."

Her father, Sallah Fardi, said: "The place is empty, our neighbours don't live here any more, it's like the place is abandoned. It's scary to go outside, the more people it attracts, most of it is empty. At night it's empty."

Imane added:"The council is building up new flats right next to us while we’re being completely forgotten despite them saying we’re not. The estate is just being trashed even more as the days go by and my family are just expected to stay in this state?"

Videos have also recently surfaced showing people trespassing inside vacant tower blocks such as Oban House, highlighting security concerns.

Insp Carroll Weeden, from Barking and Dagenham Policing Team, told the LDRS: "The local neighbourhood police team is very aware of the current situation facing those that live at Dovehouse Mead and we are working with relevant partners to navigate through this time as best as we can.

"We continue to support the local community operationally, with regular police patrols in the area, as well as emotionally, by providing reassurance to those who need it."

He added: "Our priority is to catch criminals and keep people safe, and it remains of utmost importance to the officers that police Dovehouse Mead. Rest assured, any crime reported to us will be investigated. Please speak to a local officer with any concerns you have, call 101 to report an offence, or call 999 in an emergency.”

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Nesil Caliskan, Labour MP for Barking, said: "I share their frustration that the council have yet to provide a timeline for the decant of the block. I continue to lobby the council for a plan to rehouse these families, and am supporting the families to seek redress."