'Financially devastated' 18 months after landslip

Dr Ralitsa Hiteva had to leave her home after the landslip in February 2024

Residents in Hastings say they have been financially "devastated" by a landslip that has left them unable to live in their homes for almost 18 months.

The landslide happened in February 2024 in Old Roar Gill, damaging the gardens of nearby properties.

Dr Ralitsa Hiteva, who owns one of the affected homes, said the local authority was not doing enough to help.

Hastings Borough Council said it was seeking to resolve the matter, which was being handled by its insurers, and was unable to provide any further comment.

Dr Hiteva's land has been covered to protect it from the weather and help prevent further movement of the ground

The landslip led to part of Dr Hiteva's garden and swimming pool falling into a ravine behind her property.

Parts of her garden are now covered by white tarpaulin to help protect from further slippages.

"We're in exactly the same situation we were when the landslide happened," she said.

"Eighteen months on nothing much has changed, we cannot live in our property.

"It's hard to imagine that we would be able to safely go back."

Dr Hiteva is now renting a property in Bexhill with her partner, a Ukrainian refugee and her two dogs.

She still has to pay her mortgage on the St Leonards property, as well as pay for experts and solicitors.

In October, the council also voted to ask residents to help fund investigation works.

"It's not just the financial impact, the devastation has pretty much touched every aspect of our live," she added.

'Psychological trauma'

Hastings Borough Council said it knew the number of landslips was increasing.

At the site of another on St Leonard's seafront in November 2023, a group of neighbours have formed a Community Interest Company to use the expertise of locals to work on the issue.

Resident and co-ordinator Ben Ramsden believes they are "working with what the reality is".

"We need to fix the cliff," he said. "It's created an unknown psychological trauma for all of the residents because we don't know what's going to happen next.

"The council hasn't got the money to fix the cliff, we have the skills in our community…so by working with the council, the MPs, with our community, we can fix the cliff."

Ben Ramsden is working with his neighbours to help fix the cliff

Hastings Borough Council said it was "grateful to the residents for the time and effort they have put into this process and are keen to continue to push this work forward to benefit all residents of Hastings".