Scottish Government urged to back RAAC homeowners' campaign
Dozens of affected properties have been identified in Clackmannanshire. (Image: Scott Barron) In a letter to the group's chair, Wilson Chowdhry, she wrote: 'I am planning to meet directly with affected homeowners, in areas with the highest number of privately owned RAAC-affected properties; to listen to their concerns and explore potential solutions. It is my intention that invitations to attend these meetings will be issued to residents, local campaign groups and elected representatives.
'My officials will shortly take forward work making the relevant arrangements - which will include arranging meetings with affected homeowners in Clackmannanshire and West Lothian Council areas.
'Noting your reference to these areas, I will ask my officials to inform you when dates for these respective meetings have been agreed and to liaise with you on a separate meeting with you, as representative of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, as part of a wider engagement process.'
Speaking to The Herald, Mr Chowdhry said he was 'relieved' to finally receive a response from the Secretary, although he expressed "frustration" at the lengthy delay.
He said: 'Families have been living in financial and emotional freefall for months, and every day of delay has deepened their hardship. I can only hope that the legislative changes I have submitted—including restoring first-time buyer status, ensuring capital-only repayments without interest for any outstanding mortgages on homes lost through no-fault safety concerns, and reforming the Homebuyer Report framework—will be seriously considered when delivered to the UK Government.
Mr Chowdhry's daughter Hannah saw her Aberdeen home plunge in value, after she was informed that contained the crumbing concrete.
This spurred the veteran campaigner to meet the crisis head on.
Aberdeen City Council has announced plans to demolish the homes. (Image: Getty) He added: 'Legal reforms could also prevent future crises by placing a legal burden on developers and contractors to rectify safety defects in buildings they profited from, rather than leaving ordinary people to carry the cost.'
'I welcome the recognition of the work of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, and while the Housing Minister has offered us a private meeting, the First Minister must also attend. We will not simply be discussing the human impact of this debacle—which the Government should already be acutely aware of—but will be delving deep into concrete solutions.
'The First Minister has already expressed openness to such an engagement, and the reality is that these decisions must be taken at the very top of government.'
Ms McAllan was criticised in July after the Press and Journal revealed she had yet to respond to a letter sent by Aberdeen City Council appealing for urgent aid from the Scottish Government, a month after it had been sent.
Commenting at the time, North East MSP Liam Kerr said: 'Getting a fair deal for the people of Balnagask should be top of the agenda for the new housing minister.
"It took a massive effort to get the SNP to focus on the plight of Scotland's RAAC victims.
"In Aberdeen there is a golden opportunity to use a pot of money that is more than likely going to disappear, very soon.'
A decade-long City Region Deal reached in 2016 is set to expire next year, with £20m yet to be spent.
Campaigners have urged the government to release the funding before it expires.
The RAAC campaign has also received support from Scottish Labour.
Alloa and Grangemouth MP Brian Leishman plans to lodge a formal written petition to Parliament in September, calling on the government to provide support for affected communties.
Read more:
'We hold the cards': residents hit out at 'measly' council RAAC payments
Aberdeen City Council recommends demolition and rebuild of dangerous RAAC homes
Aberdeen RAAC residents take their case direct to First Minister John Swinney
A Scottish Government spokesperson confirmed Ms McAllan's plans to meet with campaigners.
They said: 'We recognise this is a worrying time for homeowners affected by RAAC. The Scottish Government takes RAAC very seriously and we have established regular meetings with public and private sector bodies to ensure best practice is shared across sectors impacted by RAAC. The Cabinet Secretary looks forward to meeting with campaigners, including homeowners, to discuss their concerns.
'We have repeatedly called on the UK Government to make available a dedicated RAAC remediation fund but they have failed to do so.
'We are continuing to work with local authorities across Scotland as they respond to the impact of RAAC in their areas and we expect all social landlords to be engaging with their tenants and developing plans to remediate RAAC in their homes. The Scottish Government remains closely engaged in this work.'
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