UK Government announces millions in cash support for sinking homes in Coalsnaughton

The UK Government has said it will cover the cost of making homes safe at a former pit village in Clackmannanshire where dozens of households have been evacuated due to ongoing ground movement.

The announcement comes after the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) confirmed ongoing ground movement in Coalsnaughton is caused by historic mining activity.

People living in 96 homes in Coalsnaughton will be given support, which could include the UK Government purchasing their home at full market value.

It follows a “thorough” eight-week investigation into the cause of the movement in the village, which has seen cracks appear in roads and properties damaged.

The MRA will now take the lead on the incident response, with the UK Government saying the priority is to “ensure the safety and wellbeing of every resident”.

Costs incurred by the Scottish Government and Clackmannanshire Council for the incident response will be reimbursed by the UK Government, where they fall under the MRA’s remit.

All evacuated residents will also be protected by the law, with the UK Government meeting the costs of making homes safe.

Where properties have suffered significant damage, the Government said alternative support could be made available to residents based on the condition of their home.

For homes with the most serious damage, residents may be offered an option for the Government to purchase their property at its full market value prior to the incident, as well as additional support to relocate if required.

The MRA has confirmed households will find out the outcome of their property and the specific options available to them in the coming weeks and months, depending on ongoing investigations.

The announcement came ahead of a visit to the village by energy minister Michael Shanks on Monday.

“This has obviously been an extremely difficult situation for families over the past few months and I want to reassure all those affected that no one will be left to shoulder the burden alone,” the minister said.

Residents in a Clackmannanshire village were forced to evacuate after ground movements STV News

“The UK Government stands ready to do everything within our power to support those households affected, working side by side with the Scottish Government and Clackmannanshire Council

“Unfortunately there is no quick fix but the Mining Remediation Authority is providing tailored advice and support for every household and our priority is to provide longer term certainty as quickly as possible.

“My thoughts are with all those caught up in this disruption which I know will be taking a real toll on families in the community.”

Almost 100 properties have been evacuated since the movement was first detected in the former mining village on May 18.

Benbuck View was closed off, and 30 properties were evacuated after slabs buckled and cracks appeared in buildings.

Another 30 homes were emptied after further reports of ground movement in Dunmoss View on May 27.

There was then an additional evacuation of 28 homes on Nechtan Drive and nine in Langour.

Earlier this month, more residents were ordered to leave after almost two months of investigations.

The Mining Remediation Authority revealed that eight homes had been issued with Dangerous Building Notices, which are official orders served on property owners by a local council.

Six of those notices were issued by Clackmannanshire Council on Friday, with two others having been issued previously.

A spokesperson for the Mining Remediation Authority said: “We understand that Clackmannanshire Council has issued Dangerous Building Notices for six more properties in Coalsnaughton affected by the ground movement.

“This is in addition to the two properties that already have notices in place.

“The Mining Remediation Authority is continuing its investigations and remains committed to supporting the Council and residents where needed.”

The local authority confirmed that notices have been issued to homeowners in the Langour area.

Homes were issued with evacuation notices on Friday STV News

It is understood that the affected homes were initially advised to leave, but they chose not to.

A Clackmannanshire Council spokesperson said: “The council has served Dangerous Building Notices on owners of properties in Langour, Coalsnaughton.

“This action has been taken under the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 following detailed inspections and professional advice from structural engineers, which identified defects that may present a risk to public safety.

“We recognise this is a worrying time for the affected residents and we will engage directly with them to ensure they receive clear information and support.”

One affected resident, Ross MacPhee, told STV News that he could not comprehend why his entire street had been served whilst neighbouring streets had not.

He said: “I understand it’s a dangerous situation, but I don’t think there is a fundamental, data-backed decision-making process to serve you these papers.”

The notice states that if the residents do not leave their homes, a warrant will be issued to force them from the properties.

Naiomi Stevenson added: “There is a lack of transparency from the Local Resilience Partnership.

“The MRA are given us data saying that we are safe, the structural engineers have given us data that it is safe.

“This is the information that the LRP has. We asked last week to have a sit-down meeting with them, but they are hiding from it.

“We were meant to receive a written letter from all partners this week, but we have not received anything.”

First Minister says evacuation is ‘enormously distressing and stressful’

Last month, First Minister John Swinney visited Coalsnaughton to chair a roundtable with members of the local council, the Mining Remediation Authority, and other organisations.

Following the meeting, Swinney stated that the ongoing operation “requires sustained involvement” from the Scottish Government.

He told STV News that Holyrood will continue to support the agencies involved in an effort to “find solutions”.

The First Minister added: “If people have had to leave their homes in very short order, it’s enormously distressing and stressful for people.

“So we’ve got to make sure that solutions are put in place that assist individuals. Clackmannanshire Council is working with individuals to try and do that.

“But, I’ve also made clear that the Scottish Government will work to support the council in its efforts by collaborating with other housing associations, other local authorities, to find solutions that will meet the needs of individuals.”

Clackmannanshire Council Leader Ellen Forson said she was “grateful” for the visit of the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Justice Neil Gray to the impacted mining village.

The Councillor added: “During the visit I stressed the significant impact this major, ongoing incident is having on the affected residents and the uncertainty and disruption they face.

“Our thoughts remain with all those impacted by this incident. We will continue to work closely with our partners and do everything possible to support residents and families through what remains a very challenging time.”

The visit comes in the wake of Brian Leishman, Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, raising the issue at Prime Minister’s Questions – saying people in Coalsnaughton are suffering “emotional and financial distress”.