THE NUMBER of empty homes in Swindon has risen by a 10th in two years.

Last year there were 494 homes in Swindon that had been left empty for at least six months. The year before it stood at 455.

The council said it was working to bring these houses back onto the market.

The number of empty homes in Swindon has fluctuated since 2010, overall dropping by five per cent.

Swindon Borough Council said that the number of “long term” empty homes – classed as those vacant for at least a year – stood at fewer than 200.

A spokesman said: “Although this equates to about 0.2 per cent of the total number of houses in the Borough, we do take a proactive approach in bringing these properties back into use because it not only benefits the property owner but the wider community.”

He said that the council would try and trace owners and find ways to bring properties back into use – including by working with housing associations. A council tax rise on empty houses was introduced in April in a bid to fill the homes.

A spokesman added: “If it is appropriate, we can use enforcement powers to help us achieve this and the Council has used measures such as Compulsory Purchase Orders to buy an empty home, before investing in it to put it back into the housing stock. However, this can be a lengthy process.”

One row of 10 Walcot homes have been left empty for half a year. Finished in March as part of the award-winning £10m Sussex Square redevelopment, they are due to be sold as low-cost homes through a part-own share scheme.

One man, 35, whose family live nearby, said: “This is madness. I have got friends who are having to rent off their families. I was surprised to see all those houses empty.”

A mum-of-four, 34, who lives in rented housing down the street from the empty homes, said: “My kids think one of the houses is haunted, because a light’s been left on.”

A spokesman for the council said that the success of the regeneration scheme meant that the houses, which were going to be sold privately, would be sold as affordable homes.

He said: “However, due to this change the legal arrangement is more complicated which has caused the delay.”

To report an empty property to Swindon Council, email emptyhomes@swindon.gov.uk or call 01793 463275.