Ripon sinkhole site set for makeover

A central Ripon site where the emergence of a sinkhole prevented new homes being built is to be given a makeover.

Harrogate Borough Council was set to build 17 homes to replace a block of flats in poor condition on Allhallowgate.

However, serious ground stability issues came to light during demolition of the existing properties.

The potential for sinkholes to open up led to the development, which was backed by funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, being scrapped.

Harrogate Borough Council decided the project was no longer economically viable in 2019.

Hoardings were erected around the site and an entry gateway was chained and locked to protect public safety.

Now Mike Chambers, the cabinet member for housing and safer communities at Harrogate Borough Council, has positive news.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“The area is going to be tidied up, levelled, re-seeded and greened to improve its appearance.

“It has become overgrown and the hoardings are a bit the worse for wear.”

There is funding to refurbish the remaining Allhallowgate flats.

Covid social distancing requirements have limited progress so far.

Cllr Chambers said:

“As the lockdown eventually lifts, we can start to progress projects.

“Our initial aim is to make the site safe and look more presentable.

“In the longer-term we will need to decide whether it is going to be a new public open space, or an area for use by the residents of the remaining Allhallogate block.”

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The residents of the demolished block were all permanently re-housed. Cllr Chambers said:

“We moved quickly and managed to purchase 18 replacement properties in the Ripon area through the housing revenue account.

“This means that there has been no net loss in the stock of properties available for social housing.”

Funding has also been allocated for extensive refurbishment and improvement of  the remaining Allhallowgate block.

Ground instability problems caused by the soluble nature of gypsum have been seen in many parts of Ripon.

The Stray Ferret reported in October 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.

 

 

Subsidence causes evacuation of four Ripon homes

Extensive subsidence has caused the evacuation of four properties in a Ripon housing development.

The problem is believed to be caused by sinkholes in the area.

It was deemed so severe that owners of two of the properties in Bedern Court were advised by tenancy management company Joplings to tell tenants they had to leave for their own safety.

Mat Pritchard, whose 81-year-old father Norman was living in 5 Bedern Court, had to rapidly make arrangements for him to move out.

Tenants at the other properties, 1 and 3 Bedern Court and 17 Skellgarths, which is within the scheme, have also had to move out at very short notice.

Mr Pritchard is chairperson for Bedern Court Ltd, which is a non-profit company controlled by leaseholders and owners.

It manages the leaseholds and freeholds for the 29-unit brick-built block, which was built in 1986.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“The block has now been in effect, partially condemned for human habitation, with numbers 3 and 5 worst affected and issues also affecting the neighbouring  properties at 1 Bedern Court and 17 Skellgarths.”

Mr Pritchard said:

“Joplings told BCL that a recent geo-technical and building site investigation had returned very concerning results and they believed that flats 3 and 5 were no longer safely habitable.”

Photograph of Mat and Jane Pritchard at Bedern Court

Jane and Mat Pritchard are pictured at Bedern Court, where their flat is deemed unsafe because of major subsidence issues.

He added:

“Our priority was the safety of the tenants after large internal and external cracks opened up. Because of the visible shift of the building it was also necessary to evacuate the two adjoining properties.”

The block is within the shadow of Ripon Cathedral and alongside one of the main routes into the city centre.

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An adjacent block of flats built after the Bedern Court development was subsequently demolished and Peacock’s Passage, which runs between the two sites, has clear signs of subsidence.

BCL believe that sinkholes in the area are the likely cause of the subsidence, but claims dating back to 2009 lodged with underwriters Aviva and subsequently QBE, have been turned down by both insurers.

Mr Pritchard said:

“In the urgent situation we find ourselves, we have lodged a further claim with QBE.

“We have also contacted our MP Julian Smith and Ripon City Council seeking any help or advice they can give us and we will continue to ask for cooperation from the owners of neighbouring sites.”