Families on a residential street in Edinburgh have been told they need to leave their properties after an alarming discovery was made. Many of the new neighbours only moved in recently, and just four months later are being told to evacuate what they believed were their forever homes. The authorities found the properties were built on a mineshaft.
Discovery of Mineshaft Under New Homes
The houses on Gilbert View in Gilmerton were built by Miller Homes and then allocated to locals through housing association Places for People. Many of the affected families had been in temporary accommodation for years, waiting to be placed permanently. Now many face the huge burden of having to move out, along with their belongings and furniture, for up to eight weeks in September.
One of those affected is Michelle Goldie, who was the first on the street to find out about the mine after a worker who came to fix her fence let it slip. She told Edinburgh Live how she moved in just five months ago and is yet to properly unpack and settle in. Now she is having to gather up all her possessions before being placed in temporary accommodation in what is currently an unknown location.
Residents Express Frustration and Distress
Michelle Goldie said: "Maybe these things should have been checked before people were actually handed their keys, because obviously, as I said, I had signed my lease in January and moved in February. I know people moved in behind me, but we're still sort of trying to unpack and get organised, or maybe these things should have been done and dealt with and checked, considering Gilmerton is based on mines. I felt like this could have been prevented."
Michelle said the biggest impact would be on her kids and while she felt Places for People were "trying their best", the situation was "not ideal". Places for People bosses have confirmed they have been out to speak to residents about the works that need to take place following the discovery of the mining structure under homes. While some residents were in and had the chance to speak to a representative, others were out at the time and received a letter through their door.
Preventative Groundworks Planned
They described the work as "preventative groundworks" and reassured residents there is no risk, but the work is necessary to prevent any issues arising in the future. Carly Miller, 35, and her family who were bidding on houses for 15 years and spent eight of those in temporary accommodation before moving into their three-storey home on Gilbert View.
Carly Miller said: "We all came home to these letters saying we were getting booted out of our house pretty much, because they had found a mine when they were building behind us. Someone's not done their job right. What makes this even more distressing is that we are being offered alternative properties outside our local area, including locations as far as East Lothian and South Queensferry."
Impact on Children and Education
She added: "Many of us have young children who attend local schools in Edinburgh, and relocating such a distance will have a huge impact on their education, childcare arrangements, work commitments, and family life. My work actually thought I was making it up because we were in temps before. I had to take time off work, getting from one temp to another temp, I had to get time off again to move here, and when I phoned him and said I'm not coming in, I've had this letter, he was like, 'Are you winding me up?' I've had to provide proof that we're getting kicked out."
Carly said she has been left "fuming" at the situation and said she feels she's "living in the unknown". She added: "It's the children that we feel for, I'm having to uplift my kids again." Residents have been told that additional groundworks are taking place, leaving them confused as to why they have to leave their homes if it's just their gardens being dug up.
Financial and Emotional Toll on Families
Monica McManus will be out of money either way after she spent thousands to transform her new build garden. With a custom chicken coop, a full shed and a garden full of plants, Monica is "absolutely devastated." She said: "This is meant to be our forever home. We were all in temporary accommodation beforehand, so it was like this is your house, you can be here for the rest of your life if you want to be. It was an absolute dream come true moving in here. We've only just settled in and then bang."
Monica continued: "The work needs to be done in the garden, so I know for a fact, all this is gonna get trashed. I'm gonna have to take my chickens with me no matter where I go." Monica has been told Places for People officials will do everything in their power to place her somewhere she can take her chickens, but she still needs access to her home at least twice a week so she can water her plants and feed her snake.
Poor Communication and Uncertainty
She further explained: "If they had come to us when they first discovered this and been like, 'Right, OK. We've just discovered this, but we've got you on top of our mind. Here's the plan, this is what we're gonna do with you.' It won't be right now, but in a couple of months' time, and give us time to adjust, instead of coming last Thursday and being like, 'You need to be out by the end of next month, tear down everything that you've done and move everything at your house.' It's crazy. We've just settled in. The thought of having to move everything out and then into somewhere else and then back in is just... It's crazy."
Also impacted is Ashley O'Donnell, 26, who has just had flooring put down and has begun decorating. She is worried about moving her young children again and the damage that could be done to her home while they're gone. She told Edinburgh Live: "When I found out about this on Thursday I was at work and I had to come home early cause I was just so stressed. I was so upset, and I was like, I can't work a 12-hour shift with this stress, I have to go back and figure out what's happening, what am I meant to do with my kids? It's just an absolute nightmare. The communication between both parties has been so poor, and someone needs to take responsibility. We deserve answers."
Support from Housing Association
Ashley expressed fear over paying utility bills at two different locations but Places for People bosses have confirmed they will cover rent at temporary accommodation as well as utility bills at the homes on Gilbert View. Residents will however be responsible for rent at their permanent homes while they are empty and bills at their temporary accommodation. Places for People are also covering 'reasonable' additional costs associated with the move.
Ashley added: "There's no way in hell I'm paying two utility bills, and along with that pay rent and council tax on a house I'm not even living in." A Places for People Scotland spokesperson said: “We understand that customers at Edgelaw View may be concerned by news of upcoming groundworks and the need for a temporary move from their homes. We have personally visited the home of every customer impacted, and have been able to speak to the majority directly. Everyone has been given a letter and sent an email with all details, including an extensive Q&A. We are also working on answering a number of follow-up questions customers have and any concerns around the alternative accommodation.”
Developer's Response
The spokesperson added: “The developer of the homes, Miller Homes, recently informed us that a previously unidentified mining feature beneath specific locations within the development has been identified and requires preventative groundworks to be carried out. We’d like to reassure customers that these works are precautionary and designed to protect homes against any future issues – there is no current or immediate risk. To allow the works to be completed safely, a small number of households will need to move into temporary accommodation for up to eight weeks from late August. We appreciate that this will be unsettling for customers and their families, and we are working to make this process as easy as possible and with no extra costs. We will be supporting with the logistics and costs of moving, suitable alternative accommodation, and any wider impacts on daily life.”
Miller Homes reassured customers that there is no immediate threat to homes in the area. A spokesperson said: “We have identified a requirement for additional groundworks in specific locations at Edgelaw View, impacting a small number of unoccupied homes and some occupied properties that are managed by Places for People Scotland. A few Miller Homes customers will experience a slight delay in moving into their new homes, and we have communicated with the impacted customers regarding their revised entry dates. These works are precautionary and designed to protect homes against any future issues. While there is no immediate risk to homes, the safety and well-being of residents is our top priority. We are working with Places for People to ensure their tenants receive the information and support they need to minimise disruption while we complete these works.”
