CONCERNS that pumps installed underneath two houses in Coaley were the cause of structural problems were not quashed by an independent report, it has emerged.

Number one and two Hillside on Far Green are due for demolition after it was decided they were too expensive to repair after cracks were found in the walls and in the chimney breast of the buildings.

The tenants were relocated and the semi-terraced homes were boarded up.

Nearby residents had expressed concerns that the structural problems had been caused by ground source heat pumps installed in 2007 by Stroud District Council.

In their report at the time, which the Gazette has recently seen a copy of, structural engineers Peter Goodhind Associates said cracks found in the chimney breast of one of the houses was likely to have been excessive heat but further investigation was required.

They suggested SDC monitor the cracks to see if "the cracking continues to worsen and to assess if it may be associated with the ground works carried out for the ground source heating".

But no further reports were carried out to ensure this was not the cause as the building was condemned soon afterwards.

To allay concerns from residents living near the pumps, SDC released a statement which said "categorically that there are no issues with the ground source heat pumps causing subsidence".

In response to the engineer's report, an SDC spokesman insisted that they had no concerns about the heat pumps.

He said: "There is a passing reference to the ground works associated with ground source heat pumps in the independent structural engineer’s letter, but anyone who reads it will see clearly that the issues with the houses relate to the fabric of the building.

"If we had concerns about the heat pumps we would have taken action."

The council has now put in a planning application to demolish the two semi-detached homes and replace them with five terraced houses, including 10 parking spaces, but the move has not proved popular with the building’s neighbours.

Ann Wilsher, 73, who lives next door, said she thought the idea was "ridiculous".

"I am just concerned that with 10 parking spaces it’s going to cause a lot of traffic on this bend, especially if they have visitors parking on the road," she said.

"It’s a real shame. I think it will be overdeveloped, there will be no peace and quiet."

Housewife Karen Berry, who lives on the other side of the planned development, added: "I do not know how they can think it will be in keeping with the local area."

A SDC spokesman said issues such as housing density and parking would be considered by the planning committee.