Houses on Swansea street to be demolished because of landslide risk

  • Video report by Dean Thomas-Welch

Ten houses on a street in Swansea are due to be demolished after they were deemed to be unsafe because of the high risk of landslides in the area.

Three years ago, houses in Ystalyfera were evacuated because it was feared the homes could be carried away in landslides.

Some families never returned to the street and now those that live near the area are concerned they could be forced to leave as well.

Independent geologists found that there was a major risk to life in the area.

Following the landslide, independent geologists ruled there was a risk to lives but some residents who lived near the landslide challenged this.

However, the council's decision to issue the emergency prohibition orders to ten properties on Cyfyng Road was upheld by a tribunal.

The order stops anyone from inhabiting the properties because of a risk of harm.

Now, some of those neighbours argue a demolition site could cause further damage and landslides in the future.

Resident Dewi Hopkins expressed his concern at the situation.

Dewi Hopkins who lives nearby told ITV News he was worried about the prospect of heavy machinery operating near his home.

"We are worried that a landslide will happen," he explained.

"With all the movement and the heavy equipment, we don't know whether it is going to affect our foundations and move the soil in our garden.

"If it moves, then we will have to move and we don't want to think about that."

The council said it discovered a risk to all houses in the terrace.

"Whilst there were slight variations in the EPOs across the terrace, in essence due to the hazards which were in place along the length of the terrace, they required residents to immediately vacate the properties until such a time that they could demonstrate through a ground stability report that the ground beneath and to the rear of the properties could be stabilised", a council spokesperson said.

"Despite having a number of meetings with the residents a suitable scheme was not forthcoming."

The council said it has helped re-house residents and arrange compensation for people who had to move from the area.

""Demolition has not yet commenced, but we are making significant progress with a number of the house owners and their insurance companies."