11th August 2025
ROMILEY GAZETTE
Concerns Over Unstable Land Threatening 24 Homes – Authorities Silent for a Year
Serious safety concerns have been raised over an unstable hillside supporting 24 houses in Romiley, after recent actions by the new landowner are believed to have worsened the risk.
The hillside in question has been unstable for years, with part of a public footpath already having collapsed. Local residents report that since acquiring the land, the new owner, Mr Greg Hall, has carried out extensive bulldozing works. This activity has included the removal of much of the existing vegetation — including mature laurel bushes, which play a key role in absorbing excess water and stabilising the soil.
Residents fear that this large-scale clearance has further undermined the stability of the slope, potentially increasing the risk of landslip.
The precarious condition of the land was formally reported to Councillor Angela Clark on 9 August 2024. Despite the potential safety implications for the homes above, Councillor Clark has yet to respond. The matter was also escalated to senior council officers at the same time, who likewise have failed to respond over the past 12 months.
Given the apparent risk to both public safety and local infrastructure, the continued silence from elected representatives and council officers is causing growing frustration in the community.
The Romiley Gazette has contacted both Councillor Clark and Stockport Council’s senior management team for comment. At the time of publication, no response had been received.
Questions to the Council
The Romiley Gazette invites Councillor Angela Clark and Stockport Council’s senior management to address the following points:
- Risk Assessment: Has the council carried out any recent geotechnical surveys of the hillside, and if so, what were the findings?
- Preventative Measures: What steps, if any, have been taken to prevent further erosion or instability since concerns were raised in August 2024?
- Planning and Permissions: Were the bulldozing works and vegetation clearance by Mr Greg Hall subject to any planning consent or environmental checks?
- Vegetation Loss: Has the council assessed the impact of removing mature laurels and other plants on water absorption and slope stability?
- Public Footpath Collapse: What action has been taken to repair or make safe the collapsed public footpath?
- Emergency Preparedness: What contingency plans are in place if the hillside suffers further collapse threatening the 24 houses?
- Communication: Why have neither Councillor Clark nor senior council officers responded to correspondence over the past year regarding this issue?
- Landowner Accountability: Has the council been in contact with Mr Greg Hall to ensure his activities do not further compromise slope stability?
- Resident Safety: What assurances can the council provide to residents whose homes are situated directly above the unstable land?
We await the council’s responses and will publish them in full once received.
