Surrey Residents Fear Their Homes Could ‘Fall Down at Any Moment’

Families in a Surrey community are living with the fear that their homes could collapse without warning after serious subsidence left some properties at risk of being demolished.

Residents in Guildford say they are terrified that their 1930s houses could shift, slide down the hillside or suffer a catastrophic collapse as the ground beneath them continues to move.

As many as 1,000 homes could eventually be demolished, rebuilt or regenerated in response to the widespread subsidence affecting parts of Guildford.

The damage has been linked to shallow foundations laid in the clay soil when the properties were constructed.

Thirty-five council-owned homes have already been left vacant because of the structural problems, while a number of privately owned properties are also affected.

Residents describe watching large cracks spread across interior and exterior walls, with some unable to open or shut their doors and windows properly. The worsening damage has fuelled fears that their homes may eventually give way.

The worst-hit areas are understood to be Park Barn and Westborough.

The unstable clay is especially problematic as its condition changes. Locals say the ground shifts when it becomes wet and moves again as it dries out, while the fact that many properties sit on a slope adds to the concerns.

Emma Young, a 27-year-old pregnant mother, says she has been living in “constant fear” since moving into her privately rented home in January. At the time, she said, there was no visible sign that anything was wrong.

“Since then, cracks have kept appearing,” she said. “They are spreading through the walls and bricks, and we cannot open the front door. It is an awful way to live.”

Emma, who has a young son and is expecting another baby, said she no longer feels the property is safe. “I worry the whole house could come down at any moment,” she said. “What if it collapses on us? We would have no chance.”

The family is now hoping to leave as soon as possible. Emma said the damage had created safety concerns, including possible fire risks, and that they were being forced to use the back door. “If a fire started at the rear, I do not know what we would do,” she said.

“It is a complete nightmare. We just want a normal family home,” Emma added. “Sometimes we sit there and hear dust falling from the ceiling and walls because of the subsidence.”

She said the house appeared to be deteriorating a little more each day. “It feels as though it is slowly falling apart, and I am frightened that one day it could all give way. It is horrendous.”

Kristine Osborne, 30, is facing similar problems at her family home, where cracks have continued to develop. A door upstairs has also become stuck and can no longer be opened.

The neighbouring property has been sealed off and left unoccupied, with scaffolding and metal supports installed to help hold the building in place.

Many others in the area also have the same support structures around them. Kristine said: ‘We’ve been waiting to move for four years. Ours is a council house.

‘Our front door is stuck and there’s cracks everywhere. It’s really bad. They’ve just grown in time. There’s not really much we can do. We’re just waiting.

‘Everything was fine when we first moved in. It’s just gotten worse since then. The plan is to knock this down but they need to find us somewhere to go first.’

Another private resident in the area said she feared her house would also collapse. She said: ‘It’s terrifying. I have no idea what will happen. We sit there thinking a disaster will strike.’

Pensioner Alastair Montgomery, 88, lives in a council-owned property which is also impacted.

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He has suffered a heart attack and has other health issues but is adamant he will not move out.

He said: ‘I’m going nowhere. The cracks first appeared three or four years ago, it’s fine. I am very happy here. It has everything I need. Unless they said, it was going to collapse now, which it won’t, then I am not leaving.’ 

The scale of the demolition and what comes after is yet to be decided by Guildford Borough Council.

Councillor Julia McShane, Leader of the Council and Lead Councillor for Housing, said: ‘The Westborough and Park Barn Better Homes Programme is moving forward, with community engagement due to begin in early November. 

‘Residents will be able to share their views through local events, an online survey, and direct phone and email channels.

‘The programme aims to improve homes and neighbourhoods, while ensuring residents play a central role in shaping future proposals. At this stage, no decisions have been made.

‘We’re working with a specialist community engagement team to help us hear from as many people as possible and understand what matters most to residents, including tenants, leaseholders, homeowners, families, young people, older residents and local organisations.

‘Residents’ feedback will play an important role in developing the next phase of the programme. By listening to local experiences, priorities and hopes for the future, we can help ensure plans reflect the needs of the community and create lasting benefits for Westborough and Park Barn. 

‘We’ll publish more information on the community engagement programme in the coming weeks and encourage everyone to get involved.

‘We’re also working to make immediate improvements in the area. Some Council-owned homes are affected by structural issues, and we’re actively managing these concerns while supporting affected tenants. 

‘We continue to inspect and monitor properties closely, taking action where needed to help keep residents safe and supported.

‘Demolition work is progressing on several Council-owned empty homes. Removing these vacant properties will address safety concerns and support wider improvements to the area while longer-term plans are developed.’

She later added: ‘Many of the homes in Westborough and Park Barn were built between the 1930s and 1970s. As with other ageing homes across the country, some properties are affected by subsidence. 

‘This is primarily linked to the shallow foundations used in older buildings and the area’s London Clay soil, which expands and contracts in response to changes in moisture levels over time.

‘We are taking a proactive and long-term approach to address these challenges. In March, we launched a major initiative to improve housing and public spaces, while placing residents at the heart of shaping plans for their community.

‘The safety and wellbeing of our tenants is our highest priority. We continue to complete comprehensive inspections and monitoring of Council-owned homes, acting swiftly where intervention is needed. 

‘Where properties are found to be structurally unsafe and no longer suitable for occupation, we are moving forward with demolition while ensuring affected residents receive appropriate support. 

‘Alongside managing immediate issues, our Better Homes Programme provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver safer, more sustainable homes and a stronger future for the local community.’