07-05-2025
Raploch residents remain in limbo six months after being given move ultimatum
The latest development at Penman Court saw residents being told they may have to move out for 'approximately 12-14 weeks' - but there has been no news since then.
Residents living in a troubled Raploch housing development are still in limbo - more than six months after being told they would have to temporarily leave their new homes.
Last October, residents who had already moved into social housing at Penman Court were told they may be forced to move out for 'approximately 12-14 weeks'.
And others hoping to move into new homes are also still waiting for a date.
The issues relate to ongoing investigations regarding the social housing after concerns were raised over foundations at the site.
At a meeting of Stirling Council last week, SNP councillor Susan McGill asked convener of community wellbeing and housing, Labour councillor David Wilson, for an update on the situation.
She specifically sought answers on 18 occupied semi-detached properties potentially needing repairs and asked whether the remaining 22 properties being built were now occupied.
The situation also impacts Forth Housing Association and Castlerock Edinvar housing.
She was told: 'The Housing Service advises that the 22 remaining properties are now at the final stages of completion, following remedial foundation works.
'These units are expected to be handed over to the council once the developer, Robertson Partnership Homes, secures the necessary completion certificates from Building Standards in the near future.
'In relation to the 18 occupied properties requiring decant for foundation investigations and subsequent remedial works, the service continues to meet regularly with Robertson Partnership Homes to monitor progress.
'It is anticipated that the majority of tenants will be temporarily rehoused within the new flatted developed of Site 22 on Drip Road.
'Final snagging works are currently underway at Site 22, with Robertson Partnership Homes preparing to seek Building Control completion certificates for these flats.
'Once Site 22 is officially handed over to the council, this will enable the decant process to begin.
'The service confirms that adequate time has been built into the programme to ensure ongoing tenant engagement and to ensure full communication ahead of the decant process beginning, with colleagues from the Housing Service providing support throughout.'
Cllr McGill, however, pointed out that local councillors were informed and tenants notified of the decant as far back as October last year - and asked why there had been such a delay and how soon the work would be undertaken.
Cllr Wilson replied: 'There are quite a few complications going on still with the handover of the houses and this was due to fixing issues with Robertsons.
'I am not quite sure at this point in time why there is still a delay but I'll come back to you in due course with an explanation for it.'
The site at Penman Court covers a range of private and social housing and a professional assessment of potential problems, including possible foundation works was instigated.
A spokesperson for Robertson Partnership Homes said last October: 'During the build on other areas of the development, issues were identified with the ground improvement treatment and as a responsible landlord, Stirling Council has instructed investigations be undertaken to homes completed prior to the ground improvement issue being identified.'
