Clare Buchanan

The evacuation of 97 households from Coalsnaughton after ground movement was detected is placing additional pressure on Clackmannanshire’s council housing system, which was already experiencing a housing emergency. Council director Kevin Wells said temporary accommodation had been secured through council and housing association properties, Stirling University accommodation, insurers and personal networks. He warned that the displacement could reduce private-rental and overall housing availability, affect house prices and constrain future property purchases. Councillor Jane McTaggart raised concerns about the ongoing burden on council housing stock, staff and finances.

The estimated cost of dealing with subsidence in Coalsnaughton has risen to just under £1.2 million, with 97 households evacuated after cracks appeared in roads, paths and homes. Clackmannanshire Council has spent or committed £750,412 and expects a further £425,000 in costs, including accommodation, removals, lost council tax, specialist advice and rest-centre operations. An investigation by the Mining Remediation Authority concluded that former mining activity caused the ongoing ground movement. The UK Government has pledged to meet potentially tens of millions of pounds in remediation costs, while the Scottish Government has provided £1 million for emergency response expenses. The council is seeking reimbursement of eligible costs and says the incident is placing substantial pressure on staffing, operations and essential service delivery.

Displaced residents from Coalsnaughton are expected to receive longer-term housing offers, with all households still living in Stirling University accommodation anticipated to have an offer by the end of August. Since ground movement forced evacuations, 97 households have been affected: some were placed in council or Kingdom Housing stock, others in student accommodation, insurance-arranged housing, or with family and friends. The Mining Remediation Authority found that former mining activity is responsible for the ongoing movement, while Clackmannanshire Council continues to provide a housing safety net during the recovery.

Clackmannanshire Council has approved plans to convert the former Orlandi’s Café on Sunnyside Court in Alloa, together with the flat above it, into a two-storey home. Planners said the proposal appropriately reuses a vacant property, would not significantly harm the town centre because alternative cafés and businesses are nearby, and would provide housing in an area facing a housing emergency.

Recorded crime in Clackmannanshire increased by 2% year-on-year to 2,706 offences. Sexual crime rose by 32.8%, including a doubling of rape and attempted rape offences from 20 to 40, while sexual assaults and offences involving forced viewing of sexual activity or images also increased. Non-sexual violent crime, domestic-abuse-related offences, hate crimes and driving offences rose, whereas crimes of dishonesty, shoplifting and housebreaking declined. Police Scotland said tackling violent and sexual crime is a local priority and highlighted cooperation with partner agencies, improved investigative processes and support for survivors.

Two planning applications have been submitted to advance improvement works at Sauchie Public Hall in Clackmannanshire. The volunteer‑run Sauchie Public Hall SCIO, which took over the facility last summer after it faced potential closure due to council budget pressures, is seeking approval for internal alterations including a new emergency exit door, ramp extension, and improved toilet and reception facilities. A parallel application for listed building consent covers similar accessibility and structural updates. Both applications will be reviewed in due course.