Around 500 RAAC affected homes in Aberdeen may be demolished to be rebuilt, as suggested by a report to be presented to the council
Balnagask council has found that around 500 homes are affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete – RAAC. RAAC is the same concrete causing schools to collapse late last year, meaning RAAC affected homes are just as dangerous.
Many of the RAAC affected homes are privately owned
Of those homes that will be demolished, 138 of them are privately owned. The council will therefore have to negotiate with the homeowners for market value.
Another 366 of the homes are council housing. 151 have secured new leases, leaving 215 still to find a new living situation.
All the residents were moved out in February, and the rehoming process is ongoing. It is hoped that all residents will be rehomed by the end of the year.
The project report will go before the council this week
The report that recommends demolition and rebuilding will go before the council on 21 August.
The demolition process of the RAAC affected homes is expected to cost around £20-25m, with the reconstruction project bringing costs up to about £150m.
The report says: “Officers recognise the wider impact of moving home, the disruption to support networks, sense of community, and links to existing education and health services. A person/family centred approach, is being adopted to support the most appropriate outcome.
“However, as difficult as this is, the condition of the RAAC roof panels is categorised as high-risk. This categorisation has been confirmed following an extensive intrusive investigation and inspection survey programme covering circa 130 of the affected council-owned properties.”
“Members are also asked to note that our independent structural engineers have advised that given the number of properties inspected, it is envisaged that the same level of risk is applicable to the uninspected privately owned properties.”
