Bonchurch landslide road being assessed by experts and meeting planned

A public meeting will be held in February to update the community, the Isle of Wight Council has said, in conjunction with Ventnor Town Council.

The landslide displaced approximately 14M.m3 of material over an area of 42 hectares, making it one of the largest landslides to be recorded on the Isle of Wight and south coast of Britain in recent history.

Isle of Wight Council service director for waste, environment and planning Natasha Dix gave the County Press an update.

The landslide, in video footage by Wight Drone (Image: Wight Drone)

• See drone footage of the Bonchurch landslide area

She said: "Around 20 properties were evacuated on Leeson Road following the major landslide on December 10.

"Most residents have been able to return home, but those few closest to the landslide edge are still advised to stay away as further ground movement cannot be ruled out.

"The building control team have a watching brief on these properties and are continuing to monitor them on a regular basis. For safety, this is done using sensors and watched remotely.

"Should further movement occur, and a building be directly affected by movement or damage, the council could be in a position to issue an emergency powers notice declaring the building unsafe.

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The landslip area near Smugglers Haven, taped off (Image: Wight Drone)

"Jacobs global principal of geoscience and engineering geology, Roger Moore, has studied landslide events at Luccombe since the 1980s as the Island’s south coast is well known for its history of landslides.

"He noted that this winter’s extreme rainfall will have “raised groundwater levels to a point at which the landslide(s) will have been triggered/mobilised”.

"Landslides the size of the one in Bonchurch are rare. With the heavy rainfall we experienced in October and November, and the time it takes this water to make its way through the Island’s geology, we want to ensure the safety of residents from any potential further landslides in this area.

"Technical experts are carrying out an in-depth assessment of the ground conditions and stability of the area. The study is expected to be completed by the end of this month (January)."

Everyone is asked to stay away from the landslide sites for their own safety and the safety of others who may need to rescue them.