A tenant at a 'disgusting' temporary housing facility in Buckinghamshire has slammed the council for letting it fall into 'disrepair'.

A High Wycombe resident who has lived at Saunderton Lodge on Wycombe Road with their young child for two months has described the temporary housing facility as 'absolutely disgusting' and 'like a prison'.

The individual, who wanted to remain anonymous as they still reside at the property, said there continue to be "pest and vermin problems" at the site as well as "damp and mould in the rooms, old and filthy carpets and walls that are in disrepair". 

Adding: "How the council can think it's suitable for families is beyond me. It's absolutely disgusting. I've already changed rooms once because the mould in the first one was affecting my baby." 

The building, which is well over 90 years old and has 35 rooms to house vulnerable families, has been the subject of debate in recent years, with councillors advocating for an overhaul of the building back in 2017 - a move that would have resulted in "spiralling" costs for the then-Wycombe District Council.

The tenant also said that the remote location of Saunderton Lodge, off the A4010 between West Wycombe and Princes Risborough, made some people feel "trapped", a feeling that was exacerbated by the rules and regulations in place at the facility.

"There's nothing I can do because I'm still waiting on a housing officer's decision. The council just say that they deem it to be suitable housing, but they wouldn't stay here themselves. 

"I hate the thought of staying here for up to a year - I'd rather sleep in a tent in a field, but then you'd get no help at all. People just don't understand what it's like. Living in a place like this mentally breaks you."

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Mark Winn, Cabinet Member for Homelessness and Regulatory Services at Buckinghamshire Council, said: "Just like many other local authorities, Buckinghamshire Council is receiving a high demand for temporary accommodation.

"We are working hard to ensure that residents have access to places such as Saunderton Lodge, which can provide accommodation for those who urgently need it.

“We would like to urge residents living in the accommodation to report any issues such as pests, vermin, or any needed repairs to us if they arise.

“As Saunderton Lodge is an older building, we undertake regular updating and repairs to the units, and we are assessing longer-term investment options for it if the pressures for temporary accommodation units remain high.”