Clackmannanshire Village Evacuates 60 Homes as Ground Movement Forces Residents Out
Residents of Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire, faced immediate evacuation orders this week as ground movement prompted the emptying of 60 properties. Households in Dunmoss View were given as little as ten minutes to leave, a week after 30 homes in the adjacent Benbuck View were also cleared.
Residents Report Cracks and Strange Noises
Individuals affected described hearing unusual noises and discovering new cracks in their homes before being instructed to evacuate. Margo Brown, a Dunmoss View resident, noted a significant gap appearing at her front door and gate just prior to the order to leave. Another resident, Laarni Payoyo, observed cracks in her kitchen wall and struggled to open her front door due to shifting.
Clackmannanshire Council leader Ellen Forson stated that further evacuations could not be ruled out, acknowledging the progression of the ground movement. The Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) map indicates that Dunmoss View sits on a former shallow coal mine working, with a mine entry identified directly on the street.
Community Anxiety and Financial Burden
The situation has created profound anxiety for those in currently unaffected streets, such as Aaron Anderson, a father of three, who expressed concern over potential displacement options unsuitable for his children with autism. Evacuated families, including the Payoyos who only moved in four months ago, are now in temporary accommodation, facing disruption to their children's schooling.
The evacuation operation has already incurred costs estimated in the hundreds of thousands of pounds, with the Council covering temporary accommodation expenses. Councillor Forson indicated that the local authority would seek financial support from both the Scottish and UK governments due to the significant financial burden on a small council. First Minister John Swinney confirmed that the Scottish government’s resilience network would assist the council.
The MRA is expected to deliver an initial report on the ground movement next week. In the interim, residents are permitted accompanied visits to their homes to retrieve essential belongings, with security and police maintaining site perimeters.
