THESE security-fenced and boarded-up homes in Brockley Road, Chelmsford, have been empty for over a decade.
Bu they are just seven of the 1,397 empty properties in Chelmsford, which could potentially accommodate a third of the 4,192 people on the council's housing waiting list.
The picture is similar across Essex as in Braintree there are 3,853 people on the housing waiting list, despite there being 2,675 vacant properties, while in Maldon 1,304 are waiting for homes when there are 211 empty properties.
Today just one elderly man lodges in Brockley Road, off Navigation Road.
Paul Matthams, who has lived at number six for 40 years, has watched all his neighbours come and go and is now the only resident, although alcohol rehabilitation charity Helping Hands leases the house at the end of the road.
The 67-year-old admitted he is not so bothered about living alone, but is more worried that the lack of occupied homes may mean he eventually will have to leave.
"I don't want to leave," said retired Paul, who is registered disabled, "I want to stay here.
"It is not like I wouldn't want neighbours, everyone wants good neighbours to help them out when you need it.
"But they're never going to do up these houses, they're wrecked, all the wiring has been gutted out of them, there are rats and it will cost a lot of money to do up.
"They did up the end two houses and changed them to office use and left the rest – why I don't know."
Paul, who worked as a greengrocer in Witham, used to rise in the early hours, so never saw much of his neighbours.
But speaking about Helping Hands, who run their rehab centre next door, he said: "They haven't caused me any major problems and the work they do is really rewarding, and yes it is nice having them around. But they are only here on a temporary lease, so in that respect they know they will be moving on from this area eventually.
"It's just my opinion but with the John Lewis and Waitrose developments happening in the city centre, I can't see anything really happening over here for years."
The council acquired the properties and the land to the back of Brockley Road over different times with the intention of developing the area.
As the land was all bought separately, it has meant that during the time it took to acquire it, the houses on Brockley Road have fallen into disrepair.
The council is now looking at a redevelopment scheme for the whole of Lockside area, which includes Brockley Road and the land near to the canal, and hope to draw up plans by the end of the year.
Ron Sewell, 47, a sprayer at Brockley Road Bodyworks, has been working at the company for 15 years and said he has always seen the street boarded up.
"It really is an eyesore," he said.
"I've been in and out of the garage for about 15 years, and I've never seen anything happen here.
"I just don't understand why they would do up the end houses and not do the whole stretch."
City councillor and opposition spokesman for housing, Graham Pooley, is also a staff member at Helping Hands which resides on the street.
Cllr Pooley said: "The tragedy is that they didn't keep the houses occupied until it was confirmed that development was actually going ahead.
"Now nothing can be done about it – it is not economically repairable and it is something that the council should be embarrassed about.
"At the same time they should be embarrassed that nothing has happened on Brockley Road and yet they are developing neighbouring Hill Road South.
"The housing crisis is acute, particularly the amount of affordable housing around.
"Yes, the homes might have housed a small group had it been filled at the time.
"We are very grateful to have this office space, but know that we will be moved on at some point as our lease only lasts another 18 months.
"It is just a shame that more couldn't have been done with the other buildings."
