A Wiltshire landowner is being plagued by sinkholes and fears his garden is at risk of major subsidence.

Mark Merison, the owner of Merison Sporting Ltd, lives on 21 acres of land at The Locks, on the outskirts of Devizes.

But the 66-year-old claims his fields have been hit by significant water damage, causing dozens of sinkholes, which he believes was sparked by a broken Canal and River Trust (CRT) pipe.

The CRT denies that the ground movement is due to any pipes belonging to them and points to natural factors as the cause.

During excavations carried out by the trust, after concerns were raised last year, a broken historic clay land drain was discovered.

But engineers say this was “no longer interconnected” and was not the cause of the land movement.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Mark Merison with one of the sinkholes on his landMark Merison with one of the sinkholes on his land (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Merison said: “There are dozens of sinkholes, and they’re made by water damage, I’m desperate because I want to be able to enjoy my home.

“I could hear subterranean water and the only water source nearby to my understanding is the Kennet and Avon Canal.

“I’ve got great sinkholes appearing all over the place because of this cracked land drain, I think I’ve got subsidence, and I don’t want to end up in Rowde.

“It feels like a corporate giant riding roughshod over the small people.”

The Devizes property was also the subject of flooding three times in 2023 when water from the canal “cascaded” down the hill towards Mr Merison’s home.

He has called for the CRT to help repair the damage which is creating the sinkholes.

He added: “I’m a believer of live and let live but it appears to me to be damage caused by them, they should be doing something.”

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Mark Merison with one of the sinkholes on his landMark Merison with one of the sinkholes on his land (Image: Newsquest)

But the CRT has carried out a lengthy investigation into the cause of the issue and insists it is not responsible for any damage.

They have produced a report into the seepage and ground movement based on surveys of the area and water testing.

The report warned that the risk of failure on the slope is likely to increase because of “climate change.”

A spokesperson said: “We have carried out an extensive investigation, which included water testing, geology and hydrology surveys. 

“The problem is caused by factors which are not connected to the canal or to the Canal & River Trust; likely causes include underground spring water and land movement in the area. 

“We have provided Mr Merison with the report detailing the findings.”