Surrey Homes Face Demolition Amidst Severe Subsidence Fears

Residents in Guilford, Surrey, are living in fear that their homes will collapse or slide down a hill due to severe subsidence issues. Cracks are appearing in internal and external walls, making doors and windows difficult to open, and dust is falling within homes, prompting concerns that up to 1,000 properties in the Park Barn and Westborough areas may need to be demolished or regenerated.

The subsidence is attributed to shallow foundations in the area's clay soil, which expands and contracts with changes in moisture levels. This geological characteristic, combined with the hilly terrain, exacerbates the problem, particularly when the clay becomes wet or dry.

Families report living in 'constant fear' as the structural integrity of their homes deteriorates. Emma Young, a pregnant mother of one, described how cracks have continuously emerged since she moved into her privately rented home in January, rendering her front door unusable and raising fire safety concerns. "The house just feels like it's slowly falling down. One day it might just all give way. That's my worry. It's horrendous," she said.

Kristine Osborne, another resident, highlighted similar issues in her council-owned home, where cracks have worsened over time, and an upstairs door cannot be opened. Her immediate neighbor's house has been sealed off and reinforced with scaffolding and metal supports. "We've been waiting to move for four years," Osborne stated. "The plan is to knock this down but they need to find us somewhere to go first."

Thirty-five council-owned houses in the affected areas are already standing empty due to the subsidence. While many residents are anxious to move, some, like 88-year-year-old Alastair Montgomery, are adamant about remaining in their council-owned properties despite the visible cracks that first appeared several years ago. Montgomery, who has health issues, stated, "I'm going nowhere. Unless they said, it was going to collapse now, which it won't, then I am not leaving."

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Guilford Borough Council is developing plans for the area through its Westborough and Park Barn Better Homes Programme. Councillor Julia McShane, the council's Leader and Lead Councillor for Housing, acknowledged the concerns and stated that community engagement is set to begin to gather resident feedback. "At this stage, no decisions have been made," McShane said, emphasizing that residents' views will be central to shaping future proposals for safer, more sustainable homes and a stronger community.

The council is also addressing immediate issues, including the demolition of some empty council-owned homes deemed structurally unsafe. "Where properties are found to be structurally unsafe and no longer suitable for occupation, we are moving forward with demolition while ensuring affected residents receive appropriate support," McShane added.

The affected homes were largely built between the 1930s and 1970s, an era when shallow foundations were common. The council is taking a long-term approach to address these challenges, viewing the Better Homes Programme as a significant opportunity to improve housing and public spaces in the area.