Isle of Wight man set to move from collapsing cliff home

An 83-year-old man left living on a cliff edge after the ground collapsed from beneath his home is to finally move out.

George Gardiner has lived in the former tea rooms at Luccombe on the Isle of Wight for more than 20 years.

Following a landslip in 2022 his home has gradually been pulled apart, with his drive and garden falling away.

Over the past year the ground level has dropped, causing the home to buckle. Mr Gardiner is due to move out in March.

Mr Gardiner had been desperate to stay in his home but now realises it is time to go

Mr Gardiner said: "It's so sad... the view is really special.

"I've got the offer of somewhere to live that will suit me in my old age, but now I have to pay rent for the rest of my life."

Wooden stairs built last year to replace a temporary ladder to enable Mr Gardiner get to the front door no longer reach the ground.

Floors have opened up, cracks have appeared in walls and there are gaping holes in the ceiling.

The garden and driveway at the former tearooms fell in 2022

He said he repeatedly tried to contact Southern Water following the leak in his garage about three years ago.

All the doors no longer open and close throughout the home.

It used to be a tea room the former paramedic ran with his late wife.

He said: "What's saddened me even more is my youngest daughter wanted to take over this house and come and live here with me and open up the business as the tea gardens again."

Steps up to the house have had to be propped up after further ground movement

While the south coast of the Isle of Wight has seen recent landslips Mr Gardiner said a long-standing water leak contributed to the ground movement.

When his garden and driveway fell in 2022, Isle of Wight Council closed part of the coastal path outside the house that was bordered by deep cracks.

Then, late last year, a water main burst, coinciding with significant new cracks in the house, which led to a visit from the water firm to fix the pipe.

Southern Water said it had received a claim that a leaking pipe had "allegedly caused subsidence".

Ceilings are propped up and gaping holes have appeared

The company said Mr Gardiner declined an offer of alternative accommodation for 12 months while a geological investigation was carried out.

The survey was completed in November last year and a full report is due that will be considered by its insurers and legal team.

The water company said now Mr Gardiner has decided to move it had agreed an initial six month's rent with the option to extend if necessary.

It said it immediately agreed to the necessary funding and had paid the required advance rent.

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