Scottish Government pledges £1m support for Coalsnaughton homeless families evacuated over ground movement

The Scottish Government has pledged £1 million to support the residents of a Clackmannanshire mining village left in “limbo” after they were evacuated due to ground movement.

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

Benbuck View was closed off, and 30 properties were evacuated after slabs buckled and cracks appeared in buildings, followed by another 30 homes being evacuated after further reports of ground movement in Dunmoss View on May 27.

The evacuation of a further 28 homes on Nechtan Drive and nine in Langour was ordered last Friday, bringing the total to 97.

Residents affected have been put up in temporary accommodation.

Those affected were informed at a meeting last week that it will take another eight weeks for experts to determine the cause.

They also heard there continues to be movement of between 10 and 15mm a day in some streets, including in Dunmoss View and The Glen, as the Mining Remediation Authority tries to get to the bottom of what has happened.

On Tuesday, John Swinney confirmed a package of up to £1m will be provided to Clackmannanshire Council to support residents.

The money will be used to ensure the local authority can cover expenses it has incurred as a result of its emergency response, including temporary housing, welfare and staffing costs.

Swinney said: “I was grateful to hear from the residents of Coalsnaughton last week about the situation they have been placed in and understand the considerable stress this is causing.

“As residents will be out of their homes for at least eight weeks while the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) carries out its investigations, this £1 million package will allow Clackmannanshire Council to provide support for them during this time.

“Ministers will continue to ensure the UK Government is pressing the MRA to expedite its investigations as quickly as possible to prevent further disruption to people’s lives.

“The Scottish Government is working closely with Clackmannanshire Council to support residents.”

Clackmannanshire Council leader Ellen Forson added: “I welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment of up to £1m to support Clackmannanshire Council’s response to the major incident in Coalsnaughton.

“This funding provides important reassurance that residents affected by this unprecedented situation will continue to receive the support they need while investigations are carried out.

“I would like to thank the First Minister and the Scottish Government for recognising the significant impact this incident has had on our community and for responding quickly to provide practical assistance. Their support will help the Council meet the significant costs of our emergency response, including temporary accommodation, welfare support and the additional resources required to assist affected residents.

“Above all, our focus remains on the people and families whose lives have been disrupted. We know this has been an incredibly difficult and uncertain time, and we will continue to work closely with all partners to ensure residents are supported and informed as this situation progresses.”

‘If we don’t know what’s under our feet, are we safe?’

The Devonvale Hall in Tillicoultry has been set up as a support centre for those forced to flee their homes.

Aaron Anderson was evacuated alongside his wife and three children. He told STV News that their bags were packed in preparation after those in Benbuck View were told to leave.

The dad is now living with the “fear of the unknown”.

He explained: “Every time I try to eat, I feel sick to my stomach.

“I can’t sleep, my wife can’t sleep. Obviously, with having two autistic kids, they’re paramount in our day-to-day life – they come first.

“Trying to keep that normal for them is fundamental for their upbringing and their livelihood.

Slabs have moved in the streets, and cracks have appeared on homes. Mining Remediation Authority

“But the anxiety, the stress is profound.”

Despite not knowing whether his home will be deemed unsafe or condemned at the end of the eight-week period, Aaron hopes to move back to the family property.

“I love my house,” the dad added. “It’s where my kids have grown up, it’s where we’ve been for years.

“But if we don’t know what’s under our feet, are we safe?”

Residents in ‘limbo’ left with ‘nowhere to call home’

Other residents affected believe they have been left waiting for answers, with “nowhere to call home”.

Thomas Brannigan recently moved to the area and was on holiday in Greece when it was evacuated, including his new home.

He has been made aware that neighbours are being put up in accommodation described as “prison cells”, and some families are sleeping in their cars.

Thomas told STV News: “We know of people having to pay out of their own pocket with no guarantee of reimbursement.

“There are people in housing associations who have been put in substandard living accommodations.

Almost 100 homes have been evacuated due to the ground movements STV News

“The most important thing is that the insurance companies need to do their jobs, rather than waiting for someone to blame.”

Emma Little was among the first homes evacuated following initial reports of ground movements.

She explained how families on Benbuck View were “uprooted in an instant” amid the major operation.

Now, residents, like her, are left in “eight weeks of limbo” with “no answers”.

Emma said: “This is not just bricks and mortar, this is people’s safe spaces, life savings, memories, all stored up in these houses, with no certainty that everyone will get back to their homes.

“There is still no confirmed cause, no clear timeline for return, and continued uncertainty about property damage, accommodation, insurance, utilities, storage, finances and what happens next.”