Vital work to protect housing from subsidence caused by a derelict mine is being supported with investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
The national housing and regeneration agency has approved investment of up to £900k to carry out safety engineering work to stabilise ground affecting around 50 homes in Troon, near Camborne.
The funding from the HCA’s Land Stabilisation Programme is also expected to help halt the decline in property values in Troon, which are estimated to have fallen as a result of the problems.
Cornwall Council, which is also contributing funds towards the latest phase of work, will now begin the process of appointing specialist engineers to carry out the work. This is expected to begin in the summer.
HCA Land Stabilisation Programme Manager David Keeton, who has worked closely with the Council to find a solution, said: “We fully recognise the problems that would be caused by leaving things as they are in Troon. All the evidence suggests that some houses were at risk of collapse and the area would decline if this work did not happen.”
Julian German, Cornwall Council cabinet member for historic environment, said: “The rich mining history of the area has clearly left its mark and we are delighted to be working with the HCA on making sure that residents and their properties are as safe as possible.”
The news was also welcomed by Cambrone and Redruth MP George Eustice, who commented: “I am delighted that some serious progress has been made to deal with the problem of the adit at Troon and commend the work of the HCA and Cornwall Council to move things forward.
“I visited the site last summer and some of the residents affected and it is clear that this has caused a lot of stress over many years.”
