Residents fear having to leave due to sinking homes

Residents of a neighbourhood in Surrey where properties have been sinking into the ground say they fear they will have to leave their homes.

Guildford Borough Council is consulting on "opportunities for future improvements" to the the Westborough and Park Barn area.

Several council-owned houses in the areas, some of which have already been demolished, had been left empty due to subsidence problems.

Council leader Julia McShane said "no decisions have been made about wider redevelopment" and that residents would be involved as options were explored.

Speaking to the BBC at a council-run consultation event, resident Martin Doherty said he wanted to hear the council's plans because "I don't want to lose my house to a purchase order".

He said his property did not have subsidence problems but he knew there were "major" issues with some other homes.

Steve Abbott said he was "concerned that we were going to end up being kicked out of our houses".

"I'm not going to get another three-bedroom house from the council, I'll end up in a flat," he said, adding that he felt officials had listened to his concerns.

Terry Kelly said he did not want to see his home knocked down but was "open to retrofit".

"I've lived there, next year, 40 years," he said. "Why do we want to go?"

McShane said the authority was in the "early stages" of its programme for the area and was "focused on listening to residents".

"Some council-owned homes are affected by structural issues and we are actively managing these concerns while supporting affected tenants," she said.

"We're also investing in improvements to fencing, green spaces and public areas to deliver visible benefits for the community while longer-term plans are developed."

The council previously said the issues were related to the properties' shallow foundations and age.

Officials said architects had been appointed but no decisions had been made yet on the programme of works.

Members of the public can take part in the survey on the Guildford Borough Council website.

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