Latest news with #Raac-affected
Press and Journal
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Press and Journal
Torry homeowners told 'spend thousands yourselves to fix roofs if you want to save Raac homes from demolition'
Torry residents 'bared their souls' as they issued emotional pleas for council chiefs not to demolish their homes – before being told they'd have to cough up thousands themselves to save them. Last year, it emerged that around 500 properties in Balnagask would need to be evacuated as they were built using crumbly concrete at risk of collapse. While hundreds of tenants have since been relocated to council homes elsewhere in Aberdeen, those in homes purchased from the authority have been stuck in limbo. We have launched the Trapped by Raac campaign to help them in their plight, as they face losing out on tens of thousands of pounds by selling their homes at reduced rates. It's an injustice likened to the Post Office Scandal, and thousands have backed a petition calling for action to help these scores of Torry residents. And it was against this backdrop of growing public outcry that emotional homeowners pleaded to spare some homes from demolition in a highly-charged council meeting this week. The affected homeowners behind the Torry Raac Community Group (TRCG) had put forward various ideas for the council to consider – other than just buying their properties at their current value, and then flattening them… Some owners are simply refusing to even negotiate the sale of their homes on these terms. The community campaigners say it's 'not a viable option'. So what were the alternative proposals these long-suffering residents would be willing to consider? A report that went before the showdown committee meeting explained that homeowners would be willing to consider a few different solutions. One would be swapping their properties for another 'of equal value' in Aberdeen, with 'home loss and disturbance payments' from the council. But they are most keen on a proposal to swap their own afflicted properties for another in the Balnagask area. They have identified a cluster of Raac-affected houses which they say could be repaired, with new roofs installed. This would mean some people can stay in their own homes, subject to the crumbly concrete being replaced. Others leaving their properties destined for demolition nearby would be able to move into others – meaning they can stay in the neighbourhood they know and love. Council property experts say the idea of doing up Balnagask properties blighted by Raac to allow this would be 'complex' and 'high risk'. And it would only be a viable option for the local authority 'subject to funding'. The report adds: 'It requires significant coordination and investment of resources and there are unknown risks that would be held by the council.' And as council chiefs roll out a 'masterplan' for the flattened site, they say having these remaining properties in the area might make that 'more difficult'. The main point of contention is that officers 'propose that this is part-funded by owners'. Taking his seat in the council chambers on Tuesday morning, campaigner Raymond Davidson was incredulous at the notion homeowners should cover some of these costs themselves. He said: 'The council approved £13m in funding to acquire these homes and demolish them. In exchange, you'll have displaced 138 people. 'Many may become homeless. 'Our alternative is pragmatic, it would cost £2-3m less than demolition. This isn't pie in the sky, the only barrier is homeowners paying for roof replacements. 'If they could, we wouldn't be here today! 'If they could, the work would be done… If residents can't fund roof replacements then that opportunity disappears – sending us back to mass demolition.' Others backed his 'more compassionate plan', with emotive pleas. Paula Fraser is a recently relocated Torry tenant, who says the past 19 months has 'felt like a lifetime' as children were 'separated from friends' and disabled people 'ripped from their support network' by the moves. She said, 'Our community has been torn apart. 'I know people have turned to alcohol, drinking two bottles a day.' The campaigner later read anonymous testimonies from residents saying they had contemplated suicide, and from relatives of elderly homeowners worried about their 'deteriorating health'. The Press and Journal's Lindsay Bruce has been leading The Press and Journal's Trapped by Raac campaign. Lindsay gave an impassioned speech during the meeting – calling for a fair solution. She said: 'This is a community that is more tight-knit than any other I have come across in my time as a reporter, and it is about to be ripped apart. 'This is about people, not policies and politics. I've sat with pensioners who can no longer enjoy their retirement, and others who can't retire at all. 'We need a solution that is fair and not one that is just eradicating buildings to the ground.' Ultimately, councillors voted to proceed with the plan as it is – which would see all homes demolished. The option of relocating residents within Balnagask would still depend on homeowners contributing cash – which they themselves have ruled out. Labour's plea for any repairs to be fully funded by the council was outvoted by 5-4 by the SNP and Lib Dem administration. The SNP's committee convener Miranda Radley said she was 'disappointed in the tone' of the meeting at times, after Labour's Simon Watson accused her of 'ignoring homeowners and shoving them out the door'. 'If you don't think I am turning over every stone to find a solution to this, I'm speechless,' she added. The housing convener told members she had written to Keir Starmer over the issue. And she urged people to sign the petition calling for the UK Government to take action. She said: 'Only the UK Government can provide a Raac fund to alleviate this financial devastation. 'The Raac crisis is no-one's fault and officers are working as hard as they can to mitigate safety risks to homeowners. 'Proposals that rely solely on council funding to remediate privately owned homes are not considered legally viable at this point.' However, reports that went before councillors confirmed that officials 'recognise the difficulty of some owners in meeting costs on an upfront basis'. And the dossier suggests owners could be 'offered a loan by the council to pay for their contribution towards the works'. Former SNP group leader Alex Nicoll urged his former party colleagues to 'get off the 'blame Westminster' merry-go-round'. After the latest round of talks ground to a halt, campaigners gathered in the Costa coffee shop across from the Town House to continue to press their case with council co-leader Christian Allard. It came after the Torry SNP councillor told us he hadn't visited anyone affected by the life-changing problem on his doorstep. Emerging from the discussions onto Broad Street 20 minutes later, Raymond Davidson was dejected but determined to keep up the fight. He said: 'They're still sticking with their proposals, which will no doubt be rejected by the owners. It's like Groundhog Day. 'The council have committed more money for the demolition than repairing the cluster would cost, which will leave everyone worse off. 'Residents won't have a house, and the land will have little to no value.' Joining him outside the cafe, homeowner Lynn Winstanley tells me she fears any outcome on Raac from Aberdeen City Council will now 'see the homeowners at a loss'. She sighed: 'If people could repair the roofs, we wouldn't be in this situation. 'We need to regroup and decide how we go forward. We will keep fighting, and we're not going anywhere.' And Paula added: 'We're really disappointed. Up until now, we have played nice. 'This isn't about the land, this is about human beings. Family members and communities are being ripped apart. 'I don't know if Torry will ever recover from this.' To read more about the Raac crisis and our campaign click here. Trapped by Raac: 5000 reasons to keep fighting for Aberdeen homeowners impacted by concrete crisis Join our debate on the Raac crisis
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New 50-metre pool vital for young athletes
The head of a swimming club said a city council's plan to build a 50-metre swimming pool was "vital" to support the athletes of the future. Peterborough's Regional Pool has begun to be bulldozed after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was discovered in the building, which left City of Peterborough Swimming Club (Cops) without a home. Ben Negus, from Cops, said plans to build a replacement facility "would mean Peterborough can do what it deserves [for] its swimming community". Peterborough City Council said "plans for a new leisure centre continue to be explored" and it was "working to bring a business case forward to cabinet soon". "We continue to seek investors interested in supporting a new pool development," the authority added. Raac was discovered in September 2023 at the Bishop's Road site, which also had issues with asbestos and out-of-date mechanical installations. The building's demolition will take until July, the authority said. It was hoped that a replacement pool, which would be built at an estimated cost of £30m, would be open by 2028. Previously, Mr Negus said the pool's closure had forced the club's athletes to find alternative locations to train. Lily, 17, who has been part of the club since she was six, said training without a dedicated pool is "hard". Bell Cameron, 18, who is part of Cops, said the sport has given her "life skills". "It has even allowed me to go to university in the US. Marshall University in West Virginia reached out to me, I will be going this summer." Mr Negus said a plan for an Olympic-sized 50-metre swimming pool was first floated about 18 years ago and he was "still waiting". Andrew Pakes, the Labour MP for Peterborough, said he believed a new 50 metre pool could be built in the city within five years. "The council has a plot of land in the city centre at the regional pool site. And it is important to keep it in the city centre," Pakes said. "The council will be available to put some money into it, we can get some money from the regeneration funds from the mayor, some money from additional partners and we have a good chance to get this going." He said the council now "needs to focus" on things that matter to the public. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Demolition of Raac-affected pool begins What is next for the Regional Pool? Coach of swimming club without a pool scoops award City of Peterborough Swimming Club Peterborough City Council
Press and Journal
22-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Heartache of Torry newlyweds Trapped by Raac: 'Having kids is now off the table'
A Torry couple Trapped by Raac, who wed just weeks before Balnagask demolition news, have spoken of 'overwhelming' pressure due to juggling financial worries and a family health crisis. They've shared… Fiona and Ricky Burgess married on June 8 2024, at Banchory Lodge, Deeside. 'It was an amazing, perfect day, but the honeymoon stage was short-lived,' said travel consultant Fiona, 38. Just weeks later, the newlyweds were dealt the 'gutting' blow that Ricky's Torry home was earmarked for demolition following the discovery of Raac in the roofs of the Balnagask 'hen houses'. For IT solutions architect Ricky, it meant more than just the possibility of moving house. 'My cousin lives two doors from us. We have – or rather we had – family all around us. 'Then the Raac news dropped and if they haven't been evacuated and moved somewhere else in Aberdeen, they're in the same position we are, fighting to get a fair value on their homes. 'More than the money, it's like my family is being ripped apart too.' Ricky, 37, bought his three-bedroom house on Pentland Road 14 years ago from a family who had purchased it through the Right-to-Buy scheme. Prior to their marriage, Fiona owned and lived in a two-bed flat in Kincorth. On the run up to their big day, both houses went on the market, so they could sell and start looking for their one 'forever' home together. In Spring 2024, however, the community received confirmation that their homes were built with Raac. 'We had to stop viewings as soon as the news broke about Raac. My house sold so I'm probably one of the only people who moved IN to a Raac-affected home,' said Fiona. It was no less devastating for Ricky. 'We were just married when they said they were getting demolished. Since then, we've asked for a valuation and, basically, we'll be in negative equity by a mile if we sell, and stuck paying a mortgage on a house we no longer have. 'What a start to married life.' At a recent meeting of Torry Raac homeowners in the White Cockade pub, Fiona and Ricky were audibly and visibly upset. Having engaged with Aberdeen City Council's buy-back scheme, they agreed to the Valuation Office Agency assessor visiting their home. 'We just don't believe anything the council says about considering other options or even that they are listening to us. We've had nothing but a letter. 'No one has asked us about our needs. The 'for sale' signs are still up on our house. If they [Aberdeen City Council] want it they can have it. But not for a pittance. They can't leave us in negative equity,' Fiona explained, 'which is what will happen if we accept their paltry offer.' Ricky paid £115k for their home. When it went on the market, it was advertised at £110,000 to attract offers above that. They've been offered £73,000 by ACC. 'I have most of my mortgage to pay so you can understand why we're upset,' Ricky added. 'The pressure is ridiculous.' So great, in fact, that the couple have 'taken off the table' their plans to start a family. An emotional Fiona explained. 'Age isn't on my side. So the plan was always to get married, get settled, and then talk about and plan for our family right away. 'I'd love to have kids but how could we bring them into this? We could be shackled with more debt than we can handle and we don't know where we'll be or even who will be around us. 'Everything is being stolen from us. Sadly, the clock is ticking on multiple fronts for our family.' Fiona's 87-year-old grandfather is also a Raac homeowner. They worry he won't see justice served. And her mum has recently been dealt a life-shattering MND diagnosis. 'At a time when I'm supposed to be there for mum and dad, they're the ones worrying about us. It's not right.' Through tears Fiona added, 'She should be my priority, not this. My mum is non-vocal now and is really struggling. My dad is broken by it all. I'm trying to be there for them, and doing all I can, but it's all so overwhelming. 'All we wanted was to get married, settle down and enjoy family life with my parents, and Ricky's wider family too. That's not a lot to ask. 'It breaks my heart to know we are the reason so many family members are worried and concerned.' For Ricky, who was raised in Torry, there's understandable anger. 'The council and the government can always find money for what they want to find money for. It's just another blow to Torry. 'They built these houses, and they sold them. I think what gets me is that they don't seem to care that our lives will never be the same if we leave this process with 10s of thousands of pounds of debt. 'We don't care if it was a previous council, or an old government. We are here NOW, and we need help. The homeowners can't do this without support.' Aberdeen family's 'frustrating' Raac limbo: 'We accepted an offer last year and heard nothing since' Torry Raac: 'They decided our fate while scrolling on their phones' Exclusive: We put Aberdeen City Council co-leader in the hot seat over Raac
The Courier
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Courier
EXCLUSIVE: Raac homeowners in Dundee facing 'enormous anxiety' admits John Swinney
First Minister John Swinney admits Raac homeowners in Dundee face 'enormous anxiety' as he committed his government to working with residents. Speaking exclusively to The Courier, Mr Swinney said discussions were underway with both Westminster and local authorities over the issue. Dundee has the most Raac-affected residential properties in Scotland with nearly 900 homes containing the defective concrete. Dozens more have been confirmed in Monifieth. Mr Swinney believes all levels of government will need to work together on a solution. The Courier is asking people to sign this petition to help give homeowners and tenants a voice. 'I've got every sympathy with people who find themselves in this situation where they're dealing with Raac issues in the property,' said the first minister. 'It will obviously cause enormous anxiety for them.' When asked if his Westminster colleagues would be raising the issue, Mr Swinney said talks were already underway. He told The Courier: 'There have been discussions with the UK Government. 'There's obviously discussions with local authorities underway as well. 'So I'm certainly very happy to commit the Scottish Government to engaging in those discussions with other public authorities and with homeowners who are affected. 'I think it's important that all arms of government work together collaboratively to try to find solutions.' Housing Minister Paul McLennan recently confirmed he will meet residents in Dundee, though no date has been set. A major concern for homeowners is that any solution found at council level will not include them. Dundee City Council says private owners must deal with the situation themselves. Monifieth residents are waiting to hear if they will be included in any Angus Council efforts. Mr Swinney said: 'There's obviously complex issues to be wrestled with here because there's interactions with individual home ownership and that needs to be carefully worked through and managed. 'The best way to do that is by having an active dialogue between all different levels of government and discussing those issues with members of the public who are affected.' Last week, The Courier's Trapped By Raac campaign enlisted the help of local businesses who displayed posters directing people to the petition website. Campaigners need 10,000 signatures by June 17 to get a voice at Westminster.
The Courier
15-05-2025
- General
- The Courier
Dundee businesses back Raac campaign
Raac campaigners have enlisted the help of Dundee businesses to raise awareness of the crisis in the city. Yvette Hoskins, Claire Neill and Margaret McLeod took to the streets on Wednesday afternoon with 100 posters designed and printed by The Courier. The group visited outlets across the city centre, from pubs and butchers to record stores and newsagents, distributing the posters and speaking to business owners. The campaign comes amid growing concern from residents who are living with the defective concrete. Dundee has the most Raac-affected residential properties in Scotland, with almost 900 homes confirmed to contain the material. Neighbouring Monifieth is also affected. Yvette Hoskins, vice chairperson of the Dundee Raac Campaign Group, said: 'I need the community of Dundee to come together as a whole. 'To help support the residents whose homes are in a dangerous position to be in. 'To allow us to have a voice to take us to Westminster. 'We still have other areas to cover with the campaign posters. 'We have a great opportunity to try keep the campaign alive. 'We need to let the public and the communities know that Raac is so much bigger than people realise.' Many business owners were more than happy to put campaign posters in their windows, expressing their concerns for the people affected by the issue. The posters contain a QR code that directs people to sign a petition that will give campaigners a voice at Westminster. Raac (Reinforced, Autoclaved, Aerated Concrete) is a cheaper alternative to concrete that was widely used to build homes between 1950s and 1990s. The material, however, can pose significant structural issues. It is especially dangerous when saturated by water, which further weakens the structure. Campaigners are urging people to sign the petition to take the issue of Raac to Westminster in the hope serious action can be taken. Tenants and homeowners with Raac feel trapped in the situation and are calling for the support of politicians, businesses and the wider community. The Courier has launched our Trapped by Raac campaign to help those affected by the burgeoning crisis. They need 10,000 people to sign this petition to give them a voice – so we're asking our readers to help them achieve that goal.
