Residents of Baguley Crescent in Bury are calling for urgent intervention from their local council to address a block of condemned flats that they say has plunged their neighbourhood into 'squalor'. The building at 80-100 Baguley Crescent, situated between Prestwich and Middleton, was declared unsafe by the fire service in 2023 following multiple blazes and years of neglect. Locals report persistent issues with anti-social behaviour, vandalism, and fly-tipping centred around the derelict property.
The dilapidated block suffers from smashed windows, a damaged roof, disconnected electricity, and insecure fencing. Bury South Labour MP Christian Wakeford has joined residents in their plea, suggesting that squatters may be living in the 'death-trap' building and urging Bury Council to explore a compulsory purchase order (CPO). Wakeford highlighted that such conditions would likely not be tolerated in more central areas of Bury, Radcliffe, or Prestwich, emphasising the need for a swift resolution for the long-suffering residents.
However, Bury Council has stated that a CPO is not currently being pursued due to what it describes as 'complex ownership arrangements'. The council explained that individual apartment owners are responsible for their properties, as well as the maintenance and insurance of communal areas. Meanwhile, the freeholder, Enlightened Investments Limited, has expressed a desire to take full control of the flats, stating they are now actively exercising their legal rights, despite not having day-to-day control of the building in the manner of a typical managing landlord.
Residents, many of whom have lived on Baguley Crescent for decades, feel 'forgotten' by the council. Francesca Estasy, 70, who bought her flat in 1992, expressed frustration, stating, 'We've had to live in this squalor for years and I'm just at a loss as to why Bury Council won't do something about it.' Others, like Mark Wells, 66, believe the area is 'disrespected by the council' and has immense potential for redevelopment with proper investment.
Despite the current state of the block, property developers have shown interest in acquiring the site. Guy Barlow from the Assured Group of Companies, an Oldham-based developer, noted the 'fantastic location' and potential for social housing development with access to funding from Homes England and various grants. In response to the ongoing concerns, Bury Council has announced a 'day of action' scheduled for 24 July 2026, in collaboration with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Police, to address immediate fly-tipping and work with the community to tackle the root causes of the problems.