The head of the council has admitted it cannot afford to fix an abandoned “eyesore” house on Victoria Road.

The landlord of 57 Victoria Road, Oxford House, was told in the summer that he must refurbish the property or else the council would do it for him.

But this month Swindon Borough Council chief executive Samantha Mowbray said in an email seen by the Advertiser the council does not have the money to carry out the works, despite complaints that the landlord is not doing them either.

Victoria Road house has been described by neighbouring residents as a dangerous eyesore, a fire risk and giving Swindon a bad reputation by its dilapidated state.

READ MORE: Owner of house abandoned for 20 years given deadline to fix 'eyesore' propertyA neighbour says the state of the house in October is not significantly different from July(Image: Public)

The landlord was served a section 215 notice, with the council saying in July that if the landlord did not begin repair work on the house by end of August, it “will still follow through with the works in default”.

Now in October, neighbouring landlord Chris Evans claims that four deadlines given by SBC for the owner to start work have been broken.

He said: “It gives me little confidence that work will commence anytime soon.A neighbour says the state of the house in October is not significantly different from July(Image: Public)

“From my position it appears the owner [is being allowed] to keep breaking deadlines in the forlorn hope they will commence works and so yet another month goes by with nothing being done.”

The council claims that despite appearances, it is “relatively confident” that “very slow” progress is being made by the owner.

This includes getting quotes for internal work, surveyors visiting in August and pest control being booked for September.

Visible works include a security fence being erected and overgrown weeds being trimmed.The house in August when vegetation was removed from the frontThe house in August when vegetation was removed from the front (Image: Newsquest)

Samantha Mowbray said on Wednesday, October 2: “There is a lot of work that needs to be done inside the property before any work to the outside can be done and quotes are being sought.

READ MORE: 'Disgrace' The house derelict for 20 years on 'premier' Swindon street

“When I last spoke to [the council’s empty homes officer] we were both of the view that continuing to work with the owner was our best chance of getting the improvements we all seek given that the Council does not have the funding required to make the necessary improvements.

“I appreciate how annoying that will be for you to read and no doubt you will be of the view that if we had acted earlier then the required works would be more affordable.

“I am confident that we are now working hard to get the works moved on.”