Coalsnaughton evacuations will have impact on housing market, councillor warns

The displacement of 97 households in Coalsnaughton is likely to have an impact on house prices and property availability in Clackmannanshire, according to the local council’s director of place and economy.

Kevin Wells responded to concerns from councillors at a meeting on Thursday.

A total of 97 households had to be evacuated after ground movement was detected in the village back in May,

Some have been given temporary housing in council homes, housing association stock, while eight households were put into Stirling University accommodations.

Others have been housed by their insurance companies, are living with family or friends or have other solutions in place.

Councillor Jane McTaggart said she was “genuinely worried” about the impact the incident would have on council housing stock, housing stock and the wider housing market.

“As housing spokesperson, I am genuinely very worried about the strain on our council stock and on our council housing officers in general,” she said.

“How much strain and ongoing pressure is this placing on our stock and will take place on our stock in the future and the wider impact on housing in general especially the capacity and on residents and staff and the financial burden?”

Mr Wells acknowledged that the situation happened while Clackmannanshire was experiencing a housing emergency.

“97 households coming into that mix is absolutely placing additional pressure on the system,” he said.

“As we play our part in that, it has resulted in us using more of the council stock to support some of the transition work.”

He said that the impact extended beyond council properties and could affect housing availability across Clackmannanshire.

“It will also have an impact on what is available in the private sector in terms of private lets and availability.

“Depending on what the next phase is, it could have an impact on house prices and availability and off-the-shelf purchases.

“While we do not know specifically the future impact, we anticipate it will impact our ability going forward in a very difficult sector that it is already.”