Landslide fears for Newbury homes

HOUSEHOLDERS are living in fear for their safety following a landslide.

Engineers have been called out to urgently assess the risk to nearby homes.

Meanwhile almost incessant rainfall is increasing the anxiety of residents living above the landslip.

The phenomenon has happened at the major new Donnington Heights development in Newbury.

Residents said they became suspicious that all was not well when they were told by developers that allotments, which were stipulated in planning consent, would have to be scrapped because of flooding risk.

Then the landslide happened earlier this month.

Nick Harrison, one of the householders living in homes above the site, said: "We were told that it was deemed unsafe to comply with the allotments condition, which rang alarm bells.

"It seems bizarre that they recognised the land was unsafe for allotments...and now this has happened.

"Our homes are above the landslide and we're concerned that it may not stop there; it's on a slope.

"The entire area has always been susceptible to flooding; we're extremely concerned for our safety and that of our homes."

Donnington Parish Council chairman Bill Graham said he had been assured that West Berkshire Council inspectors were "treating the matter urgently."

He added: "There were obviously already problems because the plans for the allotments had to be scrapped, apparently."

Ward councillor and West Berkshire Council leader, Lynne Doherty (Con, Newbury Speen), said she had asked her council's building control engineers to assess the situation.

She said she had spoken to residents and personally inspected the landslide, adding: "I can see with my own eyes why they are concerned.

"It might be nothing serious but I can understand why people are worried.

"I've asked for building control to report back to me and hopefully we can either put people's minds at rest or arrange for something to be done."

Construction was temporarily halted at the development last July by council enforcement officers.

The issues were reported to be around drainage and using unadopted access roads at the site, near Vodafone.

A West Berkshire Council spokesperson said at the time: "These are important conditions and failure to satisfy them may mean that [the council] will have to consider taking enforcement action."

The 222-home Donnington Heights development is being built by David Wilson Homes.

The company has issued the following statement: "As a result of heavy rain, there has been some minor movement of soil at our Donnington Heights development.

"We are currently installing a retaining structure along the bank on the site which is designed to prevent any further movement."