Cobridge (City Centre North West)

Stability tests to be carried out on homes

19 March 2010

RENEW North Staffordshire is working with the Building Research Establishment to find an alternative to demolishing homes built on filled ground which is a legacy of the area's former mining history. 

The partners plan to carry out tests on empty houses in Lincoln Street in the City Waterside area which are empty and due for demolition. 

The idea involves pumping a special foam substance under the existing shallow foundations of a property.  The foam should then solidify binding loose fill material to provide a stable base. 

Nick Newman, RENEW Programme Manager, said: “Testing will be carried out on a derelict property.  Once the foam product has solidified, filling any underground voids, the house will be carefully deconstructed to assess the effectiveness of the process.”

Similar technology has been used in France and Germany to stabilise homes on flood plains.