Coalsnaughton: Residents 'trauma' at news 60 homes will be demolished as damage is beyond repair

In May, almost 100 families were evacuated from four streets in the former mining village Coalsnaughton due to unprecedented ground movement.

Over the summer, the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) confirmed the subsidence was due to historic mine workings and confirmed they will now cover any costs.

However, at a meeting on Thursday evening, the MRA told residents that 60 houses on two streets - Benbuck View and Dunmoss View - will now have to be knocked down.

A total of 46 properties are now damaged beyond repair, and a further 14 will also be demolished as they are likely to be further damaged by future ground movement.

Get our revamped Steamie newsletter

Officials say properties in Langour and Nechtan Drive may still be salvaged, but it could take another year for stabilisation and repair work to be completed.

Alan Cameron, chairman of the Coalsnaughton Evacuees Residents Group, has been moved to 13 different hotels since being evacuated four months ago.

He said: “The trauma is absolutely unreal.

“Nobody, absolutely nobody, gets the trauma that you’re going through as an individual and as a family trying to keep this together for everybody.”

Simon Woodward said the situation is “heartbreaking” and said his street now looks like a “horror film”.

He said: “We’ve been kept in the dark. It would be easier getting information out of a captured Russian spy because the MRA tell us nothing.

“My garden is the love of my life and I have pumped thousands into it. We moved in 17 years ago and are the only people to have ever lived in that house.

“The amount of money we spent on it, and we will probably never get it back. It is the biggest rip off job for the people who live there. We are going to get ripped off, the MRA is going to fleece us.

“We have put our heart and soul into that house, we’ve spent nearly £30,000 making it the best we can for our retirement, and [the MRA] will never pay us back for that.”

He said he would be “in a much better situation” if his house had burned to the ground instead, as his insurance would have covered the cost of rebuilding the property. Mr Woodward added: “It was such a nice place to live and now it looks like something out of a horror film.

“To see all your efforts going down the toilet is heartbreaking.”

Keith Brown, the MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, was briefed by the MRA ahead of the residents being told their properties will be demolished.

He said it is “absolutely devastating”, and added: “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.

“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 forever home, and she had just got her garden shaded, the kitchen 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.”

UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “This is a deeply challenging time for the families who have had their lives turned upside down.

“My thoughts are with those who have received extremely difficult news this week that their home is not safe to return to.

“I want to reassure these families again that no-one will be left to shoulder the burden alone.”

Speaking on Friday, Carl Banton, chief operations director at the MRA, said: “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 the 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.”

Mr Banton added that dedicated support is still in place for displaced families, and that the MRA is working with the government and Clackmannanshire Council on the ground.

He said: “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.”

UK energy minister Michael Shanks said: “This is a deeply challenging time for the families who have had their lives turned upside down.

“My thoughts are with those who have received extremely difficult news this week that their home is not safe to return to. I want to reassure these families again that no-one will be left to shoulder the burden alone.

“The UK Government will continue to do everything within our power to support residents and families through the next steps as quickly as possible – either into a new home, or ensuring others can return home where it is safe to do so.

“The safety and wellbeing of residents is our utmost priority and the Mining Remediation Authority has carried out thorough investigations to reach these outcomes.

“We continue to work side by side with the Scottish Government and Clackmannanshire Council to ensure the right support is in place for all those affected.”