Fears that work on a controversial shipping container hub for artists in High Wycombe have “ground to a halt” have been quashed by the council – who have blamed bad weather for a lack of progress on the project.

DesBox is set to feature 52 studio units made from 135 recycled shipping containers in Baker Street as part of Wycombe District Council’s plan to revitalise the area and work was due to be finished on the site this month.

However, concerns have been raised about an apparent lack of work going on at the site by a resident.

Doug Tucker told the Bucks Free Press the area looks “like a bomb site”, adding: “Work seems to have come to a grinding halt though the complex is supposed to open soon.”

He said: “There's no pedestrian access on the south side of Baker Street as the footpath is closed. The footpath on the north side has limited access because of temporary barriers that have been there for months.

“The road surface of Baker Street has 'raised ironwork' because the surface isn't finished so you daren’t cycle down it.

“Even though not finished they've marked 'parking bays' on the surface. Questions need to be asked.”

Delays to the project already saw one artist complain that the creative community had been “left in limbo” after they were forced to leave their permanent studios in Leigh Street to make way for more than 200 flats.

Dan Wilson, who used to have a workshop at Commercial Square before they had to leave for building work to start, said the artistic community had been “let down” in April last year because DesBox was nowhere near completion – forcing many artists to “move to home studios”.

Sue Robinson, a spokesman for Wycombe District Council, said the construction of the new artists’ hub is “taking shape and progressing well”.

She said: “We had another 12 shipping containers delivered and installed [Monday] completing the Baker Street terrace. Snow set this back a week and much now depends upon whether Scottish and Southern Electricity (SSE) show up on February 25, when they are due to start connecting the electricity supply to DesBox.

“The foundations for the East Richardson Street ‘terrace’ were completed last week and the modules for this part of the scheme are being delivered on site in early March.

“We’re recommencing roadworks at Baker Street this week and we’ll be adding the top dressing to the road as part of this work.

“As with all major construction projects, there is usually some disruption. We apologise for this and thank people using the area around DesBox for their understanding while we work to finish the project.

“The response to our open days for prospective businesses looking to move into DesBox has been really positive.

“As a result, we are looking forward to welcoming an exciting range of creative businesses into DesBox when it opens its doors in May and we’ll be hosting local artists in a special pop up exhibition space at DesBox from June 8 – 23."