Due Diligence Urged After Emergence of Major Sinkhole

Conveyancers and conveyancing solicitors are being urged to put more due diligence into their ground stability checks after the emergence of a major sinkhole in St Albans.

The sinkhole, which opened up in St Albans, Hertfordshire earlier this month, is 66ft in diameter and 33ft deep and has cut power, water and sanitiation services to over 50 residential properties in Fontmell Close and Birdle Close.

Dr Clive Edmonds, a geohazards expert at Peter Brett Associates LLP, said:

"It is often the case that chalk has also been mined at depth below the clay - the bricks and tiles are made of 75% clay and 25% chalk - so collapse of man-made voids at depth can cause large collapses (crown holes) to occur usually triggered by water causing the voids at depth to break down and migrate upwards to the surface.

"The collapse at St Albans is probably a crown hole like many other similar cases that we have dealt with."

A Homecheck Professional Ground Stability report into the collapse at St Albans found natural or man-made cavities within a 250 metre area and identified a number of potential stability risks. This also coincides with a report from Searches UK, which found 15 per cent of solicitors and conveyancers are not recommending floor searches to their clients.

If you're looking for a solicitor to assist you with buying, selling or remortgageing a property, contact our conveyancing solicitors on 0800 810 1010 for advice.

Whitestone Solicitors

Conveyancing Solicitors