A HOUSING association has been accused of only doing half a job over the regeneration of a Vange estate.

South Anglia Housing started the renovation of the 3/4 estate, in Vange, in 2006, with the aim of tackling crime and antisocial behaviour.

Under the scheme, the homes’ original flat roofs were replaced with conventional pitched ones, windows and doors were replaced, play areas were improved, new bin storage areas were added and 120 new homes were built.

However, some residents claim parts of the estate are still like “a Third World ghetto” with cracked and uneven pavements in Gambleside, Polstead, Swanstead and Sturrocks, many houses in need of redecoration, overgrown trees in need of cutting back broken and walls and fences.

Father-of-four Craig Taylor, 36, says the roof of his house, in Swanstead, is leaking because an overhanging tree is blocking the gutters, while part of a nearby overgrown footpath has had to be fenced off.

Mr Taylor said his bedroom wall was replastered a month ago, but needed doing again because of the leak.

He added: “That mess on the footpath has been there for two years. When we moved in, we thought because it was fenced off, it was going to get sorted,but obviously not.

“It is fenced off, so it must be dangerous, yet my children have to play out there. There are that many little things wrong.”

Fellow Swanstead resident John Taylor, 62, added: “The housing association spent all this money and promised to turn things around but parts of the estate still look a mess.

“It’s difficult because some people own their houses and either don’t care or can’t afford to do them up.

“It makes it a horrible place to live for all of us.Idon’t think it’s ever going to change here.”

South Anglia Housing owns more than half of the homes on the estate.

It has denied the estate has been neglected.

Managing director Tracy White said: “We have invested millions into improving this estate and our residents’ homes over the years. This has made a big difference to our residents and the wider community.

“South Anglia takes residents’ concerns extremely seriously and always investigates any issues raised. We are carrying out any necessary repairs as part of the ongoing investment into the area and will work with Basildon Council on anything outside of our control.”