Robert says when he stuck a pole down a crack in the side it travelled at least 6ft underground
The depression was quickly cordoned off when it appeared at the St Austell property(Image: Robert McRae)
A dad is terrified for his home’s safety after a 2ft-wide patch of ground began sinking in his garden.
Robert McRae, 48, said the depression appeared in a communal garden at the home he rents in St Austell around six to eight weeks ago.
It’s around 60cm in diameter and 6cm deep – and Robert says when he stuck a pole down a crack in the side it travelled at least 6ft underground.
The area was cordoned off by Ocean Housing, with a surveyor confirming the area is safe and not at risk from historic mining subsidence.
The depression was 2ft wide and 6cm deep when it was first discovered some weeks ago(Image: Robert McRae)
The housing association has, however, commissioned a trial pit to identify the cause as an “extra precaution”.
“I’m terrified,” Robert, who has a four-year-old daughter, told us. “It would be bad enough if it was just me and the Mrs but it’s my job as a parent to protect my child.
“Her cot is literally next to the wall where the hole is, it’s by the bedroom. I need to know if this goes underneath my house.”
Robert said a neighbour of his reported issues with her toilet around the same time the sinkhole appeared – and he fears the two could be connected.
When asked if the issues could be connected, Ocean Housing said they are not responsible for the other home but do not believe the two to be linked.
Robert, however, said: “We’re literally 10 metres as the crow flies to her. I’ve got a sinkhole and she’s got a toilet that’s doing that. It seems like it’s a bigger problem because it started at the same time and no-one’s listening.
“I think there’s a bigger problem between the two properties. I think there’s something bigger underneath.”
Ocean Housing says a surveyor has considered the area to be safe but is carrying out further checks(Image: Robert McRae)
Surjit Balu, executive director of property services for Ocean Housing, said: “A small ground depression, measuring around 60cm in diameter and 6cm deep, was reported to us on 7 November.
“The area was promptly secured and fenced off while investigations took place within our standard timescales. As part of these investigations, the hole was enlarged to allow proper assessment.
“A specialist surveyor confirmed it is safe and not at risk from historic mining subsidence.
“We’re doing all we can to resolve this quickly and safely, and the affected area remains fenced off. As an extra precaution, we are commissioning a trial pit to identify the cause before completing the repair. We understand this can be worrying, but we have kept residents informed throughout and will continue to provide updates until the work is complete.”
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