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20
May 2021
Harrogate Borough Council is to investigate a hole in the ground that's appeared at Ripon Leisure Centre.
In a report due before senior councillors next week, the authority said it is required to investigate the "void in the ground" in order to retain its business insurance on the building.
The city has a history of sinkholes caused by the soluble of nature gypsum, the rock that lies under much of the area.
Construction firm Willmott Dixon was awarded a £10.2 million contract last year to build the pool and refurbish the leisure centre. It is due to be complete in November 2021.
It added that the engineers found that the hole had been there “for some time” and was not a result of the current work at the leisure centre site.
Councillors have been recommended to approve the investigation, which is estimated to cost £110,000, and any remedial works.
The Stray Ferret asked the borough council what caused the hole to appear, how wide it was and if any further voids or sinkholes had been found.
A council spokesman said:
Ground instability problems caused by the soluble nature of gypsum have been seen in many parts of Ripon.
The Stray Ferret reported in October 2020 about the evacuation of a residential block at Bedern Court, caused by subsidence in the area.
In February 2018, a sinkhole opened up on the car park of Ripon Leisure Centre, off Dallamires Lane.
In 2016, a dozen homes in Magdalens Road were evacuated after a 66-ft wide sinkhole opened up.
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