PRESSURE is mounting on a housing association to refurbish a former crackhouse in the heart of Winchester which has been empty for nearly three years.

City councillors and property owners are rounding on A2 Dominion over delays to repairing City House, opposite Winchester railway station.

The not-for-profit group wanted to convert its eight supported flats to market rents. It told the Chronicle last year that work would begin by March, but the building was emptied in May.

A former drugs den in the Victorian block has been empty since a police raid in 2012.

One property owner, who asked not to be named, said: “It is frustrating and embarrassing to see it in that state. It is a very important building, as it hits you as you come off the train into Winchester.”

Ian Tait, former housing portfolio holder, said A2 was "oblivious" to the issue. He said other developers would happily buy the building and develop new supported housing.

The firm has repeatedly refused to explain the delay.

Nancy Waterhouse, A2Dominion’s assistant regional development director, said in a statement: “We are committed to refurbishing the block of flats at 16 City Road in Winchester into attractive, much-needed housing for the area.

“We have had access to the site since the building became empty in May 2015 and are presently working on the final refurbishment plans.

“Once agreed, we expect the works to take around six or seven months to complete.”