Residents in sinking mining village to have their homes demolished as they’re told to leave for their own safety

Residents of a former mining village have been left ‘devastated’ after being told their homes are at risk of collapse and will have to be demolished.

Nearly 100 properties in Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire, were evacuated in May for safety reasons after cracks appeared in several houses, as well as roads, paths and gardens. 

The Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) confirmed the ground movement had been caused by historic mining activity.

An investigation found there was ‘damage and risk severity beyond the point of rehabilitation’ on Benbuck View and Dunmoss View, with the MRA proposing the homes are acquired and demolished.

In less affected areas, repairs are expected to be carried out once ground stabilisation work has taken place.

The UK Government said it will foot the bill for the response to the incident in Coalsnaughton, which affected 97 homes.

Keith Brown, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, who was briefed by the MRA before residents were informed at a meeting on Thursday evening, said it would be a ‘huge wrench’ for the homeowners. 

He told BBC Radio Scotland’s Breakfast programme: ‘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.

‘Other work will be required at the top and the bottom, but the two streets in the middle will have to come down.

‘And just in terms of personal individuals, 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.

‘Another gentleman has a memorial to his deceased wife in his garden.

‘So this is a huge wrench for these individuals, and although it may not be unexpected, this will be devastating to them.’

Experts have said the ground is continuing to move at a rate of around 2mm a week towards an ‘epicentre’.

A report also confirmed that since 2018, ground levels had sunk by almost 2ft and that ‘a large area in the centre of the site has subsided by up to 0.6m’. 

Simon Woodward, 67, who has lived in his home for 17 years, said some residents at the meeting were in tears, but 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 the 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 £30,000 on it to make it as best as we can for our retirement. That’s gone.’

Carl Banton, chief operations director for the Mining Remediation Authority, 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.

‘This has given us a clearer picture of the scale of damage and the likely next steps for each affected area and property.

‘The assessments show that each street affected is experiencing ground movement and property damage in different ways and to different levels.

‘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.

‘We know this is very difficult news for residents and their families. It is not a conclusion we have reached lightly, but it reflects the level of damage, the work that would be needed to make the ground safe, and the importance of giving people a clear, safe and practical route forward.

‘In other affected areas, the position is different. 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 that dedicated support remained in place for affected households and that partners were working together so that support was co-ordinated and practical.

Mr Banton added: ‘We will continue to approach this work with care, clarity and respect, making sure those most affected hear important information directly and have the opportunity to discuss their own circumstances.’

In June, the Scottish Government pledged £1million of additional cash 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.

‘While this news offers some clarity to those residents, who can perhaps now begin to move forward with a plan, I appreciate it remains a deeply unsettling and worrying time.

‘We will continue to work with partners, including the MRA who have assumed responsibility for the remediation process, as we move deeper into the recovery phase of the incident, and we will continue to support our Coalsnaughton residents as they navigate the next steps.’

The MRA said a quarter of British homes sit on or near former coalfields, but for ‘the vast majority’ the land remained ‘stable and safe’.