HUNDREDS of people are being moved out of their homes in Aberdeen after structural engineers found they contained collapse-risk concrete.
Panels made from reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) were found in about 500 homes in the Balnagask area of Aberdeen, including 364 council properties, last year.
An independent, structural engineers’ report on the presence of Raac in a representative sample of the properties recommended that council tenants be relocated to alternative accommodation within the city as soon as possible.
The authority received the report on February 22 and it was considered by Aberdeen City Council’s Urgent Business Committee on Thursday February 29.
READ MORE: Scottish jobs on line at Grangemouth as Fujifilm sees no 'viable future'
Councillors accepted a recommendation from council officers that tenants be permanently rehomed and have written to council tenants, as well as to owners and private tenants, to update them on the situation.
Miranda Radley, convener of the communities, housing and public protection committee, said: “This is an incredibly difficult situation for everyone living in a Raac affected property, but the council will be doing everything we can to support our tenants during this hugely challenging time.”
“These are people’s homes and we need to ensure we support our tenants, but also engage with owners and privately rented tenants, to keep them informed on this matter.”
The council said that 299 of the 364 council properties are currently occupied by council tenants, and the remaining 140 of the 500 or so properties affected are privately owned.
Officials are currently exploring options for the long-term viability of the site, which include remedial works or demolition and a detailed appraisal will be presented to the council within six months.
The council has written to council tenants inviting them to meet with a housing and support officer in their home.
It has also contacted owners and private tenants to let them know the current position and to offer them a meeting with a housing and support officer to discuss their housing options.
The committee has agreed to set aside an initial £3 million to cover the rehoming programme.
Concerns about Raac emerged last year, prompting governments and councils around the UK to assess buildings for its presence.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel