PAINSTAKING work to demolish five homes at risk of collapse after a disastrous landslip is almost complete.

The brick-by-brick dismantling of the properties on Aelfleda Terrace in Whitby is expected to be completed by the end of this week.

The houses – most of them holiday lets – were left hanging on the edge of a 30ft abyss after gardens and patios were swept away following torrential rain that caused widespread flooding around the region late last month.

Rigorous assessment by experts left Scarborough Borough Council with no choice other than to carry out the immediate demolition using its emergency powers.

However the work had to be carried out slowly and methodically because of the instability of the site and risk of further landslips.

Scarborough Borough Council cabinet member Mike Cockerill said: “We are pleased with how work has progressed because we were always unsure as to how long it would take bearing in mind the unstable nature of the properties and the ground the contractors have been working on.

“When the work finishes at the end of this week, we will have exercised our powers to successfully remove any immediate danger from the site, which is all we are permitted to do under Section 78 of the Building Act. “

He added: “We are currently in the process of finalising arrangements for the handover of the site back to the owners of the properties that have been demolished for their insurance companies and loss adjusters to agree a way forward with regards to the reinstatement of the site and covering the cost of the loss of the properties.”