'We're living in despair': Black Country residents tell of two-year landslip 'nightmare'
Residents of a new-build estate in Cradley Heath have been 'living in despair' for almost two years following a 'nightmare' landslide on their doorsteps.
In March 2024, residents of Haden Cross Drive, Cradley Heath, were shocked to look outside of their homes only to see tonnes of soil, dirt and rubble spilling onto their doorsteps.
The landslide was so severe that some residents were even trapped by a mountain of soil blocking their access road, blocking access to personal, commercial and emergency vehicles.
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The subsidence was said to have first been evident in January 2024; however, by March, the land had completely slipped, covering the estate in debris.
The landslide began an almost two-year row between residents and property developers Dunedin Homes, with residents saying that they are 'fed up' of waiting for action.
Now, they have said that 'enough is enough', calling on building developers to take action to clear the debris and return their lives to normal.
Sandra Whitehall, who has been living on the estate since the landslide first occurred, said: "It's terrible really. We just don't see an end in sight for it.
"It's not just the soil; when it rains, the water comes all the way down and onto the road. It's caused flooding and all sorts of issues. Honestly, we have just learned that we have to live with it."
Sandra said that she fears for young families on the estate, saying that 'it's not what you want' when you move into a new house.
She added: "We have some young families on this estate. It's just not a nice thing for young children to see or remember about their homes.
"We haven't seen any movement with it being sorted, nothing. Our houses aren't really worth anything now either. No one can even sell up."
Another resident, Mark Payne, has been living on the estate since it was first built in 2020. He said that if he had the option again, he wouldn't buy a house here.
He said: "I wouldn't have bought this house if I knew what I knew now. I've been here from day one, and we have always had issues.
"There's just been no clarity with what is happening with it, and no one seems to be doing anything. We aren't even like, frustrated anymore, we are just purely angry and upset. It needs sorting."
In 2025, we spoke to Patrick Duggins, who purchased his cul-de-sac property from Dunedin Homes before the estate was finished in 2020; he also said that he wouldn't have bought his house if he knew what was coming.
He said at the time: "At around 2.30am we heard a large crack, then the concrete stanchions all gave, it gradually got worse over the weeks.
"We can't sell the house, we can't move. You can't put your car on the drive - my car is parked around the corner now. We've all had to do that. It's an absolute nightmare."
Dunedin Homes recently appealed a council decision to block the development of six more homes on the new-build estate, saying that the new homes would 'have a significant impact' on the privacy of other residential properties.
Dunedin Homes has been approached for comment.