Two streets to be demolished in former mining village Coalsnaughton amid ground movement

Two streets in a former pit village affected by ground movement linked to historical mining activity are to be demolished.

A total of 97 homes in Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire, were evacuated in May for safety reasons.

The Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) launched a probe and confirmed last month the cause of the ongoing ground movement was linked to past coal mining activity.

In an update on Friday, the MRA announced the homes on Benbuck View and Dunmoss View had been "assessed with damage and risk severity beyond the point of rehabilitation".

Its proposed approach is to acquire and demolish the properties on the two streets.

In other less affected areas, repairs are expected to be carried out once ground stabilisation work has taken place.

The affected residents were notified on Thursday.

Carl Banton, chief operations director for the MRA, said: "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."

The evacuations took place in Benbuck View, Dunmoss View, Nechtan Drive and Langour.

The damage has included movement, and cracks in roads, footpaths, gardens and houses.

Some residents in Langour initially refused to leave their homes when they were ordered to evacuate. Clackmannanshire Council later served dangerous building notices as part of efforts to remove them amid public safety concerns.

Mr Banton added: "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."

The affected residents are protected by law, with the UK government set to cover any costs where they fall under the MRA's remit.

During a visit to the village last month, energy minister Michael Shanks said there is no cap on what the government is prepared to spend, and is looking at "estimates into the tens of millions" of pounds.

Following the update on Friday, Mr Shanks said: "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 MRA 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."

The Scottish government had earlier pledged £1m to help the local authority cope with the "exceptional and unforeseen event".

Read more:
Anger as evacuated residents face 'filthy' accommodation
Evacuated households will receive government support

Nikki Bridle, chief executive of Clackmannanshire Council, said: "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."

(c) Sky News 2026: Two streets to be demolished in former mining village Coalsnaughton amid ground movement