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Sinkhole opens in Orchard Fields development in Hermitage Lane, Maidstone

15:01, 26 October 2020

updated: 18:26, 26 October 2020

Another sinkhole has opened up in Barming this time on the site of a new housing development.

The hole appeared in the Orchard Fields area in Hermitage Lane, opposite Maidstone Hospital.

A sinkhole has opened up in the Orchard Fields development in Hermitage Lane
A sinkhole has opened up in the Orchard Fields development in Hermitage Lane

It was first noticed around midday yesterday on the site developed by Bovis Homes.

This is not the first time Barming has suffered from this type of collapse.

Less than a month ago another sinkhole opened up on South East Water's drinking water storage reservoir, also in Hermitage Lane, on September 25.

It meant water supplies had to be re-routed around the entire network so houses were not cut off.

And, in May 2018, a sinkhole opened up on the A26 Tonbridge Road forcing 10 homes to be evacuated.

A sink hole opened up on the A26 Tonbridge Road, outside the Taj Barming restaurant at the junction of the A26 and Fountain Lane. Picture: Andy Payton.
A sink hole opened up on the A26 Tonbridge Road, outside the Taj Barming restaurant at the junction of the A26 and Fountain Lane. Picture: Andy Payton.

It took workers more than 8,000 hours to repair the damage over a five month period.

It caused disruption for residents and nearby businesses even lost revenue.

In July 2019 a hole appeared in Upper Fant Road, not far from the repaired stretch of Tonbridge Road.

The ongoing issues has prompted concerns from residents nearby about further building on the land.

Bovis Homes and Maidstone Borough Council have been approached for comment.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone

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