Properties evacuated following landslip
Damage caused by landslip in a residential area of St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex
At a glance
A number of properties in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, have been evacuated following a landslip
The two streets affected, West Hill Road and Marina, were also affected by two landslips on 5 November
One resident said she was "anxious" not knowing what would happen next
- Published
A number of properties at the top of a cliff have been evacuated following a landslip in St Leonards-on-Sea.
On Wednesday evening East Sussex Fire & Rescue were called to reports of a landslip affecting West Hill road at the top of the cliff, and Marina at the bottom.
Earlier this month, 13 properties were evacuated following two landslides between the same two streets.
The fire service said crews had liaised with the local council and building control experts.
Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex, local resident Jaco said the landslip severely damaged a historic Victorian building that was previously used as a billiards room.
He said the whole building has been "absolutely destroyed" and "engulfed with loose mud and concrete".
He said he was "really quite scared" for the residents who live there.
St Leonards: Large rock crashes into house after landslip
Another resident in the street below spoke to the BBC and described it as a "perilous situation".
He witnessed the billiards room being "torn open like a piece of paper".
He added "huge lumps" of masonry and rubble were "thundering down" onto the land below "like a wrecking ball".
One resident said the 50ft gardens have been reduced to about 20ft following the landslip
Another resident said she was "not feeling safe" and felt "anxious" not knowing would happen next.
She described the situation as "frightening" despite being told it was safe to stay in her flat by the fire service and structural engineers.
A spokesperson for Hastings Borough Council said officers have been on site with structural engineers and emergency services to assess the situation.
"We are now waiting for a full report from the structural engineers and risk assessments have been carried out to ensure the safety of residents."
The authority said the three people affected have been offered alternative temporary accommodation.
The council added that it does not own the land and has advised residents to speak to their insurance companies or landlords.
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- Published7 November 2023
