Plea over 'heartbreaking' state of historic caves

Houses and pubs were built into the cliff face but were largely demolished by railway construction

Historic caves which used to be part of a unique area of houses in Nottingham are being neglected, a nearby resident has claimed.

Sneinton Hermitage is the remains of properties which were cut into the soft stone of a cliff but were later lost when the area was developed.

The area is fenced off but has become overgrown and calls have been made for it to be opened up.

Kathryn Cooper said: "It seems like adding insult to injury that the last bit we have left is in this state, because it can be beautiful."

The area has a fence in front and a metal door blocks the entrance to deeper caves

Nottingham is built on large outcrops of rock which is soft enough to dig out with basic tools.

Hundreds of caves and cellars have been identified under buildings but Sneinton Hermitage saw several houses, gardens, pubs and even a ballroom built into a cliff face, becoming something of a tourist attraction.

An 1813 guide said: "To a stranger it is extremely curious to see the perpendicular face of the rock with its doors and windows... and the inhabitants peeping out from their dens, like the inmates of another world."

Rock falls and issues with sanitation saw them abandoned in the 1860s, then largely demolished by railway construction in the 1890s.

Ms Cooper said: "At the moment it has buddleia growing in front of it, there is rubbish and you can see that people have camped there.

"It looks so unloved it is just heartbreaking really."

As late as 2011 the caves were popular a attraction on open days

Ms Cooper said the caves were cleared out by a voluntary group in the 1970s and even as recently as 2011, open days saw people queueing to have a look inside.

"It feels like the council don't have the funds, they can't be bothered, they don't want anyone to sue them," said Ms Cooper.

"So we have to let them be overgrown and pretend they are not there.

"We have been asking the city council to cut back the ivy, which is damaging the stone, for five years and nothing has happened.

"There is a big community here which just needs to be allowed in and we will clear it out."

Chairman of Nottingham Civic Society Graham Woodward said: "Caves are such an important part of Nottingham's heritage and we should be doing everything we can to preserve.

"It [Sneinton Hermitage] has not been open to the public for a long time. I think there were some issues with rock falls.

"The problem is the city council doesn't have a lot of money."

Nottingham City Council said it had a dedicated caves policy to "protect these important assets".

A spokesman said: "We're aware of the Sneinton caves and understand residents' interest in preserving and celebrating Nottingham's unique underground heritage.

"The council has been actively researching, cataloguing and monitoring the city's cave network and ongoing work does take place to help keep these spaces safe and protected where possible."