The council says repairs have begun on a long-abandoned house on Victoria Road - but a neighbouring homeowner says it is not enough.

The owner of Oxford House was given until the end of August to begin repairs, and the council says it has since been “tidied up” and further works scheduled.

But Chris Evans, who owns a neighbouring house, thinks the council should act swiftly to take the “eyesore” into their own hands.

READ MORE: First sign of repairs on Empty Victoria Road house

He said: “They have had a tidy-up and done some weeding but to leave all the windows boarded up and sprayed with graffiti - it looks awful.

“It still looks absolutely terrible.”

Council correspondence seen by the Advertiser says “progress is being made”. 

The email from Swindon Borough Council’s empty homes team continues: “The front has been tidied up as requested and the owner has had surveyors out to the property in August. 

“This has led to builders needing to clear the inside and pest control being booked in before further work can continue. 

“Due contractors availability this has been booked in to be done in September [sic]. 

“Once this is done, surveyor can then be complained, builders will then be booked in to do what’s needed [sic].”

In mid-August, it was reported that weeding had been completed on the house. However, behind the overgrowth the windows are still smashed with bricks and tiles missing.(Image: Newsquest)

The property owner was served a section 215 notice, ordering them to complete repairs to the property by September - or else the council would do it in default.

READ MORE: Derelict Oxford House a 'disgrace' for premier Victoria Road

He said: “A section 215 notice sounds very bold. But the actual work was meant to start in September. 

“It is just kicking the can down the road, with the council’s readiness to believe him [the owner] and their reluctance actually to start showing their teeth and start doing something.”(Image: Newsquest)

He does not accept the explanation that there are delays in getting contractors to begin the work, because “they have had so many months to do it”.

Another neighbour previously expressed concerns about the fire risk the house poses, having previously seen squatters enter the house.

It is not clear that the work will have addressed these concerns.

Swindon Borough Council was contacted for further comment, while the landlord of Oxford House could not be identified for comment.