Langford Road home with structural damage and adjacent plot up for auction following catastrophic collapse
A terraced house, which suffered serious damage when a neighbouring home suddenly collapsed, is up for auction
It has been more than three years since a home in Portsmouth caved in due to “poor quality bricks”, leaving catastrophic damage in its wake.
On the morning of December 7, 2022, residents in Langford Road, Buckland, were left petrified after a house collapsed suddenly, prompting a major emergency response and cordon, with two people being rushed to hospital with injuries.
One resident noticed large cracks appear on her walls ahead of the collapse and said it looked as though her “wall was moving”.
The incident, which is believed to have been caused by “low-quality building materials” following an inspection by Portsmouth City Council at the time, also resulted in serious structural damage to 27 and 23 Langford Road.
In response to the collapse, a partial road closure was imposed, and was in place between Harcourt Road and George Street under Section 14(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, until September 2024.
Work to secure the site continued throughout 2024 and 2025, with contractors demolishing the homes seriously affected as a safety measure. Last summer, the plot of land at 23 Langford Road, which previously accommodated a three bedroom family home, was put up for auction with Clive Emson Land and Property Auctioneers.
The sale was described as “an ideal opportunity to build a replacement dwelling” however the plot failed to sell, and is now back on the market alongside its adjacent property which has a guide price of £75,000.
Joe Rocks, Clive Emson Land and Property Auctioneers appraiser, said: “In December 2022, number 25 Langford Road collapsed causing major structural damage to neighbouring houses at 27 and 23. A further property, 21 Langford Road, suffered lesser damage and is now offered for sale and considered repairable.
“Comprising three bedrooms, we believe that following refurbishment works the property at number 21 will be ideally suited to family occupation, resale into the local market or as an addition to an income producing portfolio.
The land at 23 is currently on the market with a guide price of £30,000 plus fees, with both lots due to be auctioned off on May 7, with online bidding open 48 hours prior.