Southampton: Athelstan Road work 'causes landslide'

A vacant piece of land at the eastern end of Athelstan Road is several feet below the level of Charlotte Winfield's four-storey home in neighbouring Peartree Avenue.

Plans to build a three-bedroom house on the plot have been approved by the city council, subject to conditions.

Ms Winfield claimed preliminary work at the site in August last year "turned a hill into a cliff".

The 38-year-old therapist added: "A bank of earth that was supporting my garden disappeared.

Charlotte Winfield's hilltop home is several feet above a neighbouring plot of land (Image: Newsquest.)

"The wooden fence along the edge of the garden started bowing and part of it collapsed towards the end of last year.

"The rest of it is only being held up by the remains of a tree root. If that wasn't there the whole lot would have gone.

"If the subsidence gets any worse it could eventually pose a threat to the house. There's no immediate risk, but the potential is there." 

Ms Winfield wants the landowner to build a retaining wall to prevent any further landslides.

"I think the city council needs to acknowledge what's happening and use its powers. At the moment I feel let down," she said.

Charlotte Winfield says the landslip occurred after excavation work was carried out next door (Image: Newsquest)

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith added: "The damage to Ms Winfield's garden is very concerning and it's understandable why she wishes to get this sorted before it gets any worse.

"The council are right to be careful to limit their involvement with issues between private properties.

"However, I feel they are sometimes too quick to decide they are unable to help. This is one such situation.

"I think the council should review the case and offer assistance to both Ms Winfield and the owner of the vacant plot."

But Peartree councillor Eamonn Keogh said: "As I understand the situation, the council does not have the power to force the landowner to fix the problem and protect Charlotte’s property from further damage.

"I'd like to see councils given greater powers where a developer causes harm to a neighbouring property prior to the construction process."

A council spokesperson added: "Works have been undertaken by the landowner to clear vegetation from the site to maintain its appearance, which does not require consent.

"The planning permission does include the requirement for a retaining wall on the boundary, and this must be implemented if the development is to go ahead."

The person understood to own the plot has been approached for comment.