Tenants at a block of flats were given the all clear to return to their homes tonight three days after they were evacuated following subsidence problems.

They were forced out of Fearnley Mill, off Leeds Road on Sunday when an 18” crack appeared in the car park which also buckled badly.

David Beaumont, 49, who has been a resident there since April, said: “I’m glad to be going back.

“I have been living at hotels in Birchencliffe and Brighouse and friends think I have been ‘living the life’ these last three nights but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.

Landslip in Fearnley Mill Drive, Huddersfield
Landslip in Fearnley Mill Drive, Huddersfield

“It’s not the same when you have no fridge.

“I’m looking forward to sleeping in a double bed not a single one and having pie and mash.

“I don’t know how these contract workers who work all over the country do it.”

Another resident, David Trigg, 56, said: “I’ve been at Briar Court Hotel at Birchencliffe since Sunday.

“I haven’t minded too much.

“It’s better to be safe than sorry with these things.

“After all you don’t want a building that tall collapsing on top of you.”

Landslip in Fearnley Mill Drive, Huddersfield
Landslip in Fearnley Mill Drive, Huddersfield

The drama began at 8.30am on Sunday when 37 residents were told they had to leave, and next to the River Colne, immediately.

A disused, private pipe from a former dye works had disgorged its contents underneath the car park causing parts of it to crack with several residents fortunate not to have their vehicles damaged.

Police officers, a fire crew from Rastrick Fire Station, civil engineers from Kirklees Council and Yorkshire Water engineers attended the scene which was quickly taped off.

An email sent out this morning to tenants by Sarah Allen, Customer Care Manager of LPC Living Ltd, Salford Quays, told them they could move back in from 5pm today.

She explained although there was pedestrian access to the building, “unfortunately until remedial works are required NO PARKING WHATSOEVER will be permitted on the development.”

She added that a payment of £100 per night per apartment had been agreed with insurer NIG and the loss adjuster so residents would get a payment of £300 paid into their bank accounts shortly.