Aberdeen residents say fight for public inquiry into RAAC-affected homes 'not over'

Residents living in RAAC-affected homes in Aberdeen have said their fight for a public inquiry is not over.

It follows the beginning of the first phase of demolition work on empty council-owned properties.

More than 500 homes in Torry were built with the potentially dangerous material, known as reinforced aerated concrete (RAAC). There are thousands more across Scotland.

Last year, the Scottish Government agreed a funding deal worth £10m with the city’s local authority – the only affected area which received a form of funding support – but some residents say proper accountability is still needed.

“Somebody is responsible for this happening,” Lynn Winstanley, of the Torry Community RAAC Campaign, said.

“Maybe they didn’t know about the RAAC when they were selling them, as they keep saying, but other people on the council have said they’ve known for many, many years.”

Ms Winstanley continued: “Somebody knew something, but they were keeping it hush-hush and sold off these houses. People have then made them into their homes to live, and now they’ve had them ripped away from them, and lost a lot of money in the process.”

Dozens of homeowners remain despite demolition. Many of them are hopeful that a valuation offer won’t leave them in financial debt.

“Quite simply, the council want to demolish our homes,” John Meiklejohn, also of the Torry Community RAAC Campaign, said.

“We’re not getting a fair deal as of yet – it’s fairer, but it’s still not a fair deal. We’re now getting something that’s closer to the value of our house, excluding RAAC.

“However, there’s still the home loss payment, which we’re not getting.”

Mr Meiklejohn said residents are also not getting any assistance if they have to relinquish mortgages early, which he said many people will have to do.

He added that many residents will also be out of pocket to find a new place to live.

“It’s not just going to be a couple hundred [pounds],” he said.

“We’re talking thousands – possibly tens of thousands – for people moving into another home now that home loss is not being included in the valuation.

Aberdeen City Council has said it’s working to progress offers to RAAC-impacted residents.

Councillor Christian Allard, co-leader of Aberdeen City Council, said officers are working with the district valuer to progress offers to RAAC-impacted residents.

Once there are any further updates to provide or decisions to make, officers will bring the relevant papers back to committee.

Scottish housing secretary Màiri McAllan said: “RAAC is primarily a building maintenance issue and, as such, is the responsibility of the homeowner, whether that is an individual or an institution.

“Homeowners should, in the first instance, engage with their local authority, which has responsibility for housing locally. My expectation is that councils will work with residents to find solutions, and the Scottish Government will work to support those efforts.

“On funding, I have been clear there will be no Scotland-wide, Scottish Government RAAC remediation fund. There is only one government across these isles with the financial flexibility to respond to RAAC with a national fund and that is the UK Government who I continue to press to come to the table.

“In the meantime, the Scottish Government is keen to work with councils to explore solutions within existing financial arrangements that are bespoke to local circumstances and I have been clear I would consider requests for flexibility within existing budgets from an affected local authority with a plan.”