Residents of two streets in the former mining village of Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire, have been told their homes will have to be demolished. The decision follows ongoing ground movement that led to the evacuation of 97 properties in May for safety reasons.
An investigation by the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) confirmed the ground movement is caused by historic mining activity. Following assessments, the MRA said there is “damage and risk severity beyond the point of rehabilitation” on Benbuck View and Dunmoss View, and it proposes acquiring and demolishing the properties on those streets.
Impact on residents
Keith Brown, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, was briefed by the MRA ahead of residents being told the news at a meeting on Thursday evening. He described it as “absolutely devastating” for them.
Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland’s Breakfast programme, Mr Brown said: “The MRA is legally obliged to provide support and assistance to the homeowners. And what they’re saying is essentially, of the four streets which have been affected, the two in the middle are going to have to be completely torn down.”
He added: “We have people for whom this is absolutely devastating. For example, one woman that I’m aware of had only moved there within the last year. These homes have got stunning views across the valley towards the Ochil hills. This was her, if you like, forever home, and she had just got her garden shaded, the kitchens and so on, and then she’s had to move out.”
Repairs planned for other streets
In less affected areas, repairs are expected to be carried out once ground stabilisation work has taken place. The UK Government has said it will foot the bill for the response to the incident.
Simon Woodward, 67, who has lived in his home for 17 years, said some residents at the meeting were in tears, but that the news was not unexpected. He told the BBC: “I sort of knew it was coming. You can just tell. I mean, the place just looks like the dark side of the moon at the moment, it’s holes everywhere.”
Mr Woodward said nothing would compensate him for losing his home, where he and his wife planned to spend their retirement. He said: “We’ve put our heart and soul into that house for our retirement. We’ve done everything in that house. We’ve spent £10, £20, £30,000 on it to make it as best as we can for our retirement. That’s gone.”
MRA response and next steps
Carl Banton, chief operations director for the MRA, said on Friday: “We have completed a programme of assessment work, including structural engineering assessments, ground investigations and an appraisal of the options available to make the area safe.”
He added: “The most serious impacts remain on Benbuck View and Dunmoss View, where the homes have been assessed with damage and risk severity beyond the point of rehabilitation. Subject to the necessary approvals, our proposed approach is to acquire and demolish the properties on those streets.”
Mr Banton said that at Langour, where movement has been more limited, repairs are expected to follow once ground stabilisation has taken place. Further stabilisation is also planned near Nechtan Drive, alongside road repairs on The Glen. He said dedicated support remains in place for affected households.
The Scottish Government pledged £1 million of additional cash in June to help Clackmannanshire Council cope with the “exceptional and unforeseen event”. Nikki Bridle, chief executive of Clackmannanshire Council, said: “My thoughts continue to be with all the residents affected by this unprecedented incident. Today my heart goes out to those who have now heard their homes are beyond repair and that they will not be able to return to them.”
