A LONG-DELAYED development which has left half-built tower blocks of flats incomplete has been branded a “total disgrace” by neighbouring residents.

Swan Housing has admitted the Laindon Centre project - which has been more than two decades in the making - is taking longer than expected, and designs are being “reviewed”.

Proposals include a 224- home development, which will be built alongside a new Lidl, 16 shops, and a medical centre.

The delays come after the the Government raised financial concerns over the firm last December.

Jenny Clarke, 61, from Laindon, said: “I think it’s a total disgrace.

“I worked at the centre at a shop about 29 years ago and it was being talked about then.

We do not have a proper shopping centre here and everyone is so angry about it all.

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“It’s terrible to have the mess on our doorsteps and doesn’t look good for the town or area either.

“It’s just become an eyesore.”

With six failed attempts to regenerate the site over the last 25 years, by a host of different developers, Swan Housing took charge of the development in 2015.

Demolition work on the former shopping centre began in May 2019.

Brian Jones said residents deserve much better than the mess they have been left with.

The 52-year-old said: “I am not confident it will ever happen and we all know about the financial issues with Swan Housing.

“We all need and deserve much better, including a shopping centre like we used to have. It’s all been going on far too long now.

“I think Swan should either get on with it or just let someone else step in.”

Earlier this year the project was halted while changes were made to the plans for roads around the centre.

A Swan Housing spokesman said: “We understand that the delays on the Laindon regeneration scheme are disappointing for the community.

“The project has taken longer than expected but we can confirm we are progressing a detailed design review of the scheme and will update residents as soon as we can.”