Hundreds of properties were found to contain RAAC (Image: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Hundreds of residents moved out of homes after RAAC discovery in Aberdeen

A report has urged tennants to be moved out of homes with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) as soon as possible.

by · Daily Record

Hundreds of people in Aberdeen are being moved out of their homes after the discovery of collapse-prone concrete in council buidings. The city council surveyed thousands of buildings for Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) panels last year.

It confirmed it had been found in around 500 homes in Balnagask, including 364 council properties. A total of 299 of the properties are occupied by council tenants. Now an independent structural engineers’ report is recommending council tenants be relocated to alternative accommodation within the city as soon as possible, Aberdeen Live reports.

The findings were presented at Aberdeen City Council’s Urgent Business Committee on Thursday, February 29, where councillors accepted a recommendation from council officers that tenants be permanently rehomed.

Options for the long-term viability for the site are being explored, which include remedial works or demolition, with a detailed appraisal to be presented to city council within six months.

Aberdeen City Council says it has written to council tenants inviting them to meet with a housing and support officer in their home. They have also contacted owners and private tenants to advise them of the current position and to offer those occupiers a meeting with a Housing and Support Officer to discuss their housing options.

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Councillor 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 committee has agreed to set aside an initial £3million to cover the rehoming programme.

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Responding to the update, Scottish Conservative North East MSP Liam Kerr said: “This is an incredibly distressing announcement for residents in Aberdeen who now face being moved out of their homes due to this dangerous concrete.

“Dozens of young families live in these properties as well as the elderly and those with additional support needs. Residents are now facing the traumatic predicament of not knowing where they will be moved to and for the 65 homeowners who have bought a council house, what the process will be for getting their money back.

“At a time when there are a lack of homes across the city and council budgets are being slashed by the Scottish Government, serious questions must be answered on where these replacement properties will be found for tenants.

“I hope to raise an urgent question in parliament and will be contacting the council to find out what immediate support is being given to residents. My thoughts go to all those in Balnagask who have been left in this terrible situation through no fault of their own.”

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