Norwich: Sinkhole in Thorpe Hamlet swallows tree as it grows

Appearing at the back of William Mear Gardens near Pilling Park, the sinkhole has opened up behind a set of bungalows.

However, since first being spotted on Tuesday, January 24 the hole has been growing and is swallowing up everything in its path including trees and pathways.

The sinkhole has been said to be around 7ft deep and 15ft across (Image: Christopher Yallop)

Christopher Yallop, whose house backs onto the sinkhole, is worried about what further damage it could do to the house where he lives with his wife.

The 52-year-old said: "It feels like the back of our house is sinking into this hole.

"It started off relatively small but now it's around 7ft deep and 15ft wide.

"My heavy-duty concrete pavements have been going lop-sided, as is my back gate, and trees close by are starting to show signs of significant movement.

The sinkhole has affected Christopher Yallop's back garden gate (Image: Christopher Yallop)

"It's going to cost a bomb to fix everything.

"It's also making things dangerous for my wife, who is disabled, to make her way around the house.

"We noticed early morning Friday there's even a lamp post which is now starting to sink.

"The council has put a small fence around the first tree to sink and they've been informed about the ground movement and our worry about the ever-expanding sinkhole."

Christopher Yallop, 52, whose house backs on to the sinkhole in William Mear Gardens (Image: Christopher Yallop)

A spokeswoman for Norwich City Council said: "This sinkhole was reported on January 25 and fenced off on the same day.

"Council teams and contractors have visited twice since to investigate and are satisfied that nearby flats are not affected, but residents can raise any concerns with us directly.

"We're working with engineers to monitor the sinkhole and arrange the necessary repairs which will be completed as soon as possible."

The sinkhole has lifted up heavy-duty concreate slabs around Mr Yallop's house (Image: Christopher Yallop)

However, with more ground descending into the abyss, Mr Yallop is worried for the people living or walking near the sinkhole.

He added: "People who live in this area use this common ground for walking dogs or a cut-through.

"There's a growing concern that a dog, cat, or child could get through the fence and get stuck or hurt."

The first thing to be swallowed up by the sinkhole was a tree at the back of Mr Yallop's house, which the council have fenced off (Image: Christopher Yallop)