Streets in former pit village to be demolished

Residents of two streets in a former mining village where properties have been evacuated due to ongoing ground movement have been told their homes will have to be demolished.Ninety-seven homes in Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire, were evacuated in May for safety reasons after ground movement was discovered in a number of streets.Following an investigation, the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) confirmed the ongoing ground movement is caused by historic mining activity.An aerial view of Nechtan Drive, Dunmoss View, Benbuck View and Langour in Coalsnaughton (MRA/PA)PA MediaThe MRA said that following assessments it has now found that there is “damage and risk severity beyond the point of rehabilitation” on Benbuck View and Dunmoss View and that it proposes acquiring and demolishing the properties on those two streets.In other 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 in Coalsnaughton.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, and said it is “absolutely devastating” for them.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.”The ground movement has seen cracks appear in roads, paths and gardens, as well as damage to some properties in the village.Ground movement was reported in the village (Neil Pooran/PA)PA WireSimon 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.Read MoreHe 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.”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.”First Minister John Swinney visited Coalsnaughton in June (Neil Pooran/PA)PA WireHe said that dedicated support remains in place for affected households and that partners are working together so that support remains 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.”The Scottish Government in June pledged £1 million 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.”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.”