Council provides update on huge Hastings landslip

The landslide caused dozens of trees to collapse down a narrow steep-sided valley after days of torrential rain and strong wind in February.

Residents were forced to move out of their homes near the Old Roar Gill nature reserve in St Leonards after Hastings Borough Council issued an evacuation order.

It initially said that a geotechnical assessment was carried out which “suggested that the slippage started on private land” so residents needed to contact their insurance companies.

Dr Ralitsa Hiteva standing at the edge of her garden which has been swept away in the landslide (Image: The Argus)

Neighbours disputed this and showed evidence of cracks emerging on the public footpath before the slip. The council then announced that its insurers agreed to pay for a survey of the whole area.

A council spokesperson told The Argus on Thursday: “The geotechnical engineers appointed by the council’s insurers visited last week to collect data, and we are now awaiting their report.”

Sussex University professor Dr Ralitsa Hiteva heard the noise of trees falling on the night of February 14.

Dozens of trees and half of their garden including a swimming pool has slipped away (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

The 41-year-old told The Argus: “I heard the sound of trees crashing down and wood crunching. I didn’t know what was happening. It was quite clear the sound was coming from the gill but we couldn’t see anything from the garden so walked around.

“The drop is about 30 metres, from our garden it is like the tip of an iceberg. It is very scary, we stopped letting our dogs in the garden.

“This was our forever home. We have sunk all the money we have had into this house. Now it is like a ticking time bomb every time it rains, every time there is strong wind, every time there is noise.”

Mark and Gill Clusker also live next to the landslip (Image: The Argus)

Gill and Mark Clusker, both 60, also live next door and said at the time they feel “sick” with worry due to the landslide.

“We have paid our mortgage off. I have basically retired last year,” said Mark.

“This is going to be devastation, I won’t be able to afford another property.

“I’m going to be homeless and we could lose everything. I’m trying to stay positive, the house hasn’t gone yet. If another tree goes who knows? I’m in limbo.”