Sinkholes appear on part of Straiton film studio site

Subsidence issues have worsened around part of the proposed Straiton film studio site, along its extreme eastern boundary bordering the caravan park, , with two large sinkholes appearing recently at the former mining area.

A sinkhole, caused by subsidence at Pentland Park.

It is believed there are many sinkholes in the Pentland Park area, near Straiton. One of the new sinkholes is around five feet deep and has gobbled up a hot tub from one of the caravans at Pentland Park Caravan Site. Four families have now been moved from their homes due to health and safety fears.

Concerned local resident Mary Begbie told the Advertiser: “Pentland Park said they were going to fill the first hole. There is now a hot tub in the second sinkhole, which is about five feet deep.

“I was informed of the first hole on April 7 and the second on April 13. I’d say the first hole is 12ftx10ft and three feet deep.

“Building standards came out and said it’s a public safety issue. The sinkholes are growing. They look deeper.

“The Coal Authority have to deal with it. It’s their shaft. Although on private ground.

“The council has acted very quickly, especially with the current crisis we are facing just now. I think they have been great, very helpful.

“The man whose hot tub fell in the hole has been moved and another family also. I’ve heard another two families have maybe been moved too.”

Pentland Park Caravan Site director Gordon Gullan said: “Pentland Park has had a small embankment slip on its western boundary, caused by a larger land slip in the adjacent farmfield.

“This affected one of the mobile home pitches, and we carried out some temporary stabilisation work. The land is being monitored on a daily basis, and no further movement has taken place since April 14.

“The council is fully informed and monitoring the situation, while supporting any affected residents with assistance as needed, to make sure that they are safe.

“Independent geotechnical engineering investigations are currently under way to identify an appropriate solution for the land-slip, to ensure the on-going stability of our land and the homes on it.”

A Midlothian Coucnil spokesman said: “Midlothian Council is working with the relevant landowners to keep the public safe.

“Our Roads team and the owners of Pentland Park erected fencing around the affected areas with Danger: Keep Out notices as soon as we became aware the owners required our immediate help.

“Our Housing team is working with affected residents to source alternative accommodation and our health and social care team is also identifying other residents in the other areas of the park that may need support.

“Our Environmental Health and Building Standards teams continue to work with the caravan park owners, who are contracting the services of relevant specialists to advise them of the works required to stabilise the affected ground.

“The owners of the caravan park also informed the council they have been in contact with the relevant authorities, such as the Coal Authority, to establish the extent of mine workings and any other underlying workings which may have contributed to the sinkhole.

“In the meantime, the council will continue to monitor the situation and liaise with the relevant land owners and affected residents.”

Zoe Rose-Higgins, the Coal Authority’s head of public safety and subsidence, said: “We were contacted with details of the incident on Wednesday, April 8 and swiftly responded.

“Our investigations confirmed that there are no coal mineshafts or coal mine workings at this location.

“We were able to identify that there are oil shale and limestone workings, at depths of 64m and 124m respectively, but there are no coal seams, worked or unworked.

“We have informed Midlothian Council of our findings and, as always, work closely with our partners to help and support others as we can. You can call us 24/7 to report a coal mining hazard or to get safety advice on 01623 646333.”