Latest news with #LynnWinstanley
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Raac residents in Aberdeen may have alternatives to demolition
Aberdeen residents living in homes blighted by potentially dangerous concrete are to be given the opportunity to explore alternative options to than 500 properties - most of them council-owned - were found to contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) in City Council previously agreed to demolish the residents will now be able explore alternative options for the future of their properties. A council meeting heard these included securing the agreement of all households in a given block to share the cost of a new roof instead of having to move out. The local authority wants to buy and demolish homes through voluntary acquisition, but there have been disputes about the a meeting on Tuesday, home owner Lynn Winstanley said she was "very, very disappointed".She added: "They want us to pay for the roofs. People are still going to be out of pocket."People don't have money to go and pay £40,000 or £50,000 for a roof. "If they did they would have done it already."Ms Winstanley, who runs an online support group for fellow Raac residents, lives in a block of four and said the situation was very she added her and her neighbours were "adamant" they were not going back to renting. Councillor Miranda Radley, convenor of the communities, housing and public protection committee, said homeowners would now be consulted on what they wanted to do."I understand the impact that this is having on all homeowners," she said."We are trying to work with them and trying to find creative solutions to solve their problems."We're working within the legal frameworks that we have available to us to offer as much as we can at this point."A total of 138 private properties and 366 council homes the Balnagask area were found to have Raac in their roof March, plans for the phased demolition of homes moved plans to demolish and rebuild the properties are expected to cost more than £150m. What is Raac? Raac stands for reinforced autoclaved aerated is a lightweight material that was used mostly in flat roofing, but also in floors and walls, between the 1950s and is a cheaper alternative to standard concrete, is quicker to produce and easier to it is less durable and has a lifespan of about 30 structural behaviour differs significantly from traditional reinforced is also susceptible to structural failure when exposed to moisture. The bubbles can allow water to enter the is often coated with another material, such as bitumen, on roofing panels. But this material can also Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said Raac is now beyond its lifespan and may "collapse with little or no notice".
STV News
03-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Housing minister vows to get answers for RAAC-affected homeowners
The housing minister has vowed to get answers for homeowners in Aberdeen whose homes are affected by the potentially dangerous concrete RAAC. Residents met with Paul McLennan nearby to the affected homes in the Torry area of the city on Friday. They welcomed his visit, but say they need help now. The minister said: 'It's remembering how it's affecting not just residents but their families and the community here too. Torry is a vibrant community. 'There's been a number of actions taken today; we'll be speaking to the UK Finance who represent the banks to talk about the position that some of the residents are in. 'I'll bring some of the other issues that have been raised to me today to the local authority who I'm meeting with later today.' In October 2023, 500 properties in the Balnagask area of Torry were found to be affected by the potentially dangerous material. 18 months on, most council tenants have been moved, and Aberdeen City Council has offered to buy houses from homeowners but for a fraction of their original value to reflect the fact they contain RAAC. Around a hundred homeowners remain, refusing to leave, arguing the deal could leave them in financial ruin. In August 2024, Aberdeen City Council voted to demolish and rebuild all 500 homes. Lynn Winstanley is part of the Torry Community RAAC Campaign and said: 'It was good to speak to the minister today, I don't think he realised the strength of feeling. 'If I had a magic wand the Scottish Government will top up all the payments, so people get a fair deal for their house that would be the ideal scenario. 'Now you walk through the neighbourhoods affected and it's like a ghost town, this situation has changed the whole community.' Ian Lippe, who's also part of the group, explained: 'I'd be out by £50,000, and looking at council options, I'd be going into a bedsit, from a three-bedroom house that I've paid for. 'The Scottish Government need to sort this out, we go back to our houses at night, not our homes, it's not home anymore.' Residents were also joined by two of the 400 homeowners in Dundee who are facing similar challenges. Around 800 houses there are thought to be affected by RAAC. Wayne Hoskins, a homeowner from Dundee said: 'It's around 5,000 houses are affected across Scotland like Livingston for example. 'Our scenario isn't exactly the same as those in Aberdeen, but options to fix the situation comes down to funding which we need from the Scottish government.' The housing minister says he'll provide answers to residents in Torry in the coming weeks and plans to meet with others affected across Scotland. Aberdeen City Council have welcomed Paul McLennan's visit, and said they'll work closely with the Scottish Government to support those affected by RAAC. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
