Foundations and structures are now being removed from 54 plots at a new development in Cambridge.
34 brand new homes at Darwin Green in the city were set to be taken down, with further work now taking place to remove building work on 54 further plots.
In a highly irregular move, Barratt and David Wilson Homes Cambridgeshire say that the houses ""did not meet our usual high standards".
The affected homes are unoccupied but include a number which have been sold to buyers who were waiting to move in. It is believed that even more properties may end up being taken down - they are among 450 homes built so far at the scheme, with each property worth up to £850,000.
Built on the former university playing fields, the scheme will eventually have 2,500 homes along with a school and community facilities.
A public meeting has been held about the issues on the development and Labour-led Cambridge City Council said it would be "proactively involved" with the developer.
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