Developer Huthwaite agrees to fix 'apocalyptic' damage caused by housebuilding

Houses in a Nottinghamshire town will be fixed by a housebuilder after "apocalyptic" damage was caused by construction nearby. Ashberry Homes, an arm of Bellway that is building more than 300 new homes off Ashland Road West in Huthwaite, had to stop work temporarily in late May after two neighbouring houses were damaged.

A bank at the end of George Street had been dug under by builders and vibrations had shaken the ground loose, resulting in a dramatic-looking chasm forming in 81-year-old Susan Tighe's garden on May 23. Over the next few days part of the pensioner's lawn and drive had sunk into the ground, with neighbours fearing their homes could be impacted should the situation worsen and the area's council leader labelling it "apocalyptical".

Plasterwork in another resident's property on Carnarvon Grove was damaged by the shaking during preparation works. While housebuilder Bellway previously partially attributed the earth movement to heavy rain and "historic" problems in the area, it has now said it will be fixing Ms Tighe's garden and the other resident's wall.

Get the latest news straight to your phone by joining us on WhatsApp

“Testing is currently taking place to establish the best approach to remediating the two affected properties," a spokesperson from Bellway said. The firm's representative further explained it was in regular contact with the homeowners and that daily monitoring visits were being carried out by an independent ground expert.

Bellway previously halted construction at the site in March after locals complained that work during unauthorised hours of the day had been keeping them awake. Villagers had heavily opposed the construction of new homes on the former farmland for years before any work started, but in December 2021 a government-appointed planning inspector overturned Ashfield District Council's decision and allowed construction to proceed.

Councillor Paul Grafton, who represents the Huthwaite & Brierley ward for the Ashfield Independents and lives nearby, said the damage "never should have happened" and laid blame on the Government's Planning Inspectorate for approving the plans in the face of strong local opposition. "It has slipped quite badly," Mr Grafton said of the land just across the road from his own home.

"We have always rejected the plans for homes there, it is a very damp and muddy site and there were lots of warnings. The Bristol inspector (the Planning Inspectorate is based in the city) did not listen to local people, the fault lies with them and Bellway.

"Bellway has responded quite well in fairness but all this could have been avoided." Mr Grafton added he had received a number of complaints about the housing development in general, including claims the builders had started too early in the mornings.

John Bennett, executive director of place at Ashfield District Council, said: “Ashfield District Council is continuing to liaise with the developer to ensure that they investigate any reports of damage to neighbouring properties and take any remedial action necessary.”