Furious locals say their gardens and driveways are collapsing after building work started on a new estate.
Dozens of residents in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts., were shocked when cracks appeared in their driveways.
Large chunks of people’s gardens in George Street also sank by up to 3ft amid fears of a major landslip.
The damage is believed to have been caused by powerful vibrations coming from diggers doing groundworks on a new housing development nearby.
Construction has been temporarily halted as investigations are carried out into the building work which developers blame on “heavy rain”.
Resident Susan Tighe, 81, says a large area of her lawn and driveway has sunk into the ground.
She said: “It was about two months ago it started, they’re just doing the groundwork at the moment.
“You can’t see anything and you can’t go on the site. We’re high up and the fields lower down. We think they’ve taken some of the soil away.
“We think it’s the vibration of the machinery that’s caused the problems.
“The vibration of the machinery has shaken the earth around the garden.
“I could just see a crack in the ground. It wouldn’t stop.
“It’s a civil engineering job. If they don’t do anything about it, it’ll fall in the field.”
Linda Jackson, 74, who lives on the street with her husband Richard, 76, said: “Our concern is because they’ve dug away the bank and left a 15ft drop from
our garden, we’re concerned that the same thing will happen to us and our lawn will fall away.
“Apparently they’re going to build a retaining wall but no one has been here to communicate that with us. We just pick bits up here and there.
“Our garden could slip away. It’s a significant drop. When I walked down there I couldn't believe it.
“We were overlooking the field but now we’re overlooking a building site.
“We don't have a right to a view, but we have a right to know what’s going on.
“What I would particularly like is some assurance as to what’s happening.
“We’ve been living here since they were built 50 years ago and nothing like this has ever happened before.
“Most of the people around here are retired. We’ve had our garden landscaped, so if it disappeared into the field it would be very upsetting.
“We’ve had a lot of rain but that hasn’t caused the issue before.
“The noise and the dust is incredible.
“I can’t put white sheets outside because the air is full of dust. It’s just ‘bang bang’ all the time.”
People living in nearby Norwood Close have also reported damage to their homes.
John Whitehead, 70, said: "We’re really concerned because they have dug 20 feet
down at the bottom of our garden and we are extremely worried it might happen to us next.
"The builders were digging last week and my wall clock was vibrating, so I'm worried it might have damaged my house.”
Dozens of residents in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts., were shocked when cracks appeared in their driveways.
Large chunks of people’s gardens in George Street also sank by up to 3ft amid fears of a major landslip.
The damage is believed to have been caused by powerful vibrations coming from diggers doing groundworks on a new housing development nearby.
Construction has been temporarily halted as investigations are carried out into the building work which developers blame on “heavy rain”.
Resident Susan Tighe, 81, says a large area of her lawn and driveway has sunk into the ground.
She said: “It was about two months ago it started, they’re just doing the groundwork at the moment.
“You can’t see anything and you can’t go on the site. We’re high up and the fields lower down. We think they’ve taken some of the soil away.
“We think it’s the vibration of the machinery that’s caused the problems.
“The vibration of the machinery has shaken the earth around the garden.
“I could just see a crack in the ground. It wouldn’t stop.
“It’s a civil engineering job. If they don’t do anything about it, it’ll fall in the field.”
Linda Jackson, 74, who lives on the street with her husband Richard, 76, said: “Our concern is because they’ve dug away the bank and left a 15ft drop from
our garden, we’re concerned that the same thing will happen to us and our lawn will fall away.
“Apparently they’re going to build a retaining wall but no one has been here to communicate that with us. We just pick bits up here and there.
“Our garden could slip away. It’s a significant drop. When I walked down there I couldn't believe it.
“We were overlooking the field but now we’re overlooking a building site.
“We don't have a right to a view, but we have a right to know what’s going on.
“What I would particularly like is some assurance as to what’s happening.
“We’ve been living here since they were built 50 years ago and nothing like this has ever happened before.
“Most of the people around here are retired. We’ve had our garden landscaped, so if it disappeared into the field it would be very upsetting.
“We’ve had a lot of rain but that hasn’t caused the issue before.
“The noise and the dust is incredible.
“I can’t put white sheets outside because the air is full of dust. It’s just ‘bang bang’ all the time.”
People living in nearby Norwood Close have also reported damage to their homes.
John Whitehead, 70, said: "We’re really concerned because they have dug 20 feet
down at the bottom of our garden and we are extremely worried it might happen to us next.
"The builders were digging last week and my wall clock was vibrating, so I'm worried it might have damaged my house.”
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