The Bishop of Oxford has called on whichever party wins Thursday's local elections for Oxford City Council to act swiftly to tackle housing problems on one of the city's most run-down estates.

The Rt Rev Richard Harries yesterday visited Rose Hill for the first time in two years to see for himself the state of housing on the estate.

In 1995, the Government condemned Orlits homes as structurally unsound. But for years the city council has continued to house tenants in them. Recently, the council has housed asylum-seekers and homeless people in them.

About £30,000 was set aside by the council to demolish them two years ago. Now, the bishop has called for the next council to take action. "First of all, I want to emphasise that Rose Hill is fundamentally a very good place to live.

"It's superbly placed with great views and access to the countryside.

"I think there are problems in Rose Hill. But the multiple problems associated with any of our estates now have to do with minor vandalism.

"These are not problems that cannot at least be ameliorated.

"Decent housing is essential. Most houses here are solid, well-maintained homes, but there are, I know, about 100 Orlits houses which are substandard with boarded-up windows.

"Replacing housing ought to be on the agenda for the next council, whoever it is. It might not be done overnight, but this is wasted housing.

"There ought to be a firm commitment to tackling the boarded-up housing in Rose Hill and replacing substandard homes with homes that fit with the area."

The bishop said the Diocese of Oxford had long acknowledged Rose Hill as a deprived area and had placed a curate on the estate. He added that because Rose Hill was now being linked with the more affluent Iffley village, indications of deprivation in the area could be disguised more than official figures might suggest.

But he insisted the situation was not insurmountable.

He said: "The diocese of Oxford has had a long-term concern about the general housing situation, the shortage of homes, and the extent of homelessness.

"In Rose Hill wasted housing and substandard housing is of particular concern," he added.