RESIDENTS who were evacuated following a “ground movement” which caused damage to their homes have been told there is “no clear timescale” for when they can return.
Thirty-six homes were evacuated from a housing scheme in Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire, on Monday evening after locals discovered evidence of ground movement.
The National revealed that locals called the authorities after some of them heard a “thump” and discovered that their doorframes had “cracked”, skirting boards had “come away”, and the road in the street had “bulged” following the incident.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, utility companies, the Mining Remediation Authority and police were all called to the scene at Benbuck View to assist at around 8pm before residents were evacuated at 9.30pm.
Despite locals telling The National they were hopeful they could return home in the coming days, a spokesperson for Clackmannanshire Council has said their investigations into the incident are ongoing and they have yet to have a clear timescale on how long it will take.
“We appreciate this is a worrying time for the residents from this private estate and our officers are at Devonvale Hall again today to offer further guidance,” a spokesperson for the local authority said.
“This includes offering support to the residents as they navigate the next steps, which will include contacting their insurers. Staff from the Citizens Advice Bureau will also be on site from 3pm.
“We are continuing to work alongside our partners following this incident and investigations with our partners, including the Mining Remediation Authority, are continuing.
“At this early stage, we have no clear timescale on how long this work is going to take.”
It is understood that mining experts have been called up from England to help with the investigation.
It is also understood that residents have been allowed to access their personal belongings from their homes along with their vehicles.
Most of the families affected have found accommodation with relatives and friends, with around eight being put up in hotels while the area is still closed to the public.
Although on Tuesday, locals said they believed it could be at least a “couple of days” until they could return home, they now suspected it could be “much longer now”.
It is understood that some of the work being carried out in the housing estate includes the gas and electrical networks being disconnected while an investigation into the incident is being carried out.
Kyle Smith, a resident in the evacuated Benbuck View area, told The National on Tuesday how he was alerted to the incident by his neighbours in the street.
“They said they'd heard like a thump in the house,” he said.
“They said they'd heard some noises during the day. These were people from the houses up the street from us, they've been more affected by it.
“They were the ones that had a crack around the door frame and stuff, and the skirting boards are coming away from the wall.”
Smith, 32, went on to explain that another house had their front path “buckled up” as the ground bulged outwards and added that the monoblock on his own driveway had “separated” at the top.
It is understood that multiple homes in the area have reported cracks forming on the walls of their homes, along with the street also showing parts of the road “separating”.
A spokesperson for the Mining Remediation Authority said: “At around 9.30pm on Monday, 18 May 2026, we were made aware of ground movement at Benbuck View, Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire, Scotland.
“We are working with Scottish Fire and Rescue, Police Scotland, and Clackmannanshire Council, and we have secured the site.
“Thirty-six properties have been evacuated as a precaution, and we are planning to carry out detailed investigations to determine the cause of the incident and any potential risks.
“To report a coal mine hazard, please call us on 0800 288 4242, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
