UK
Hundreds of Aberdeen homes to be demolished amid RAAC safety fears
Hundreds of homes in Aberdeen affected by potentially dangerous concrete are to be demolished on safety grounds and rebuilt at an expected cost of more than £150m.
A total of 504 homes in the city’s Balnagask area have been identified as having reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in their roof panels.
Of the properties involved, 366 are council addresses and 138 are private.
The alarm was raised in February following an inspection in 2023, with a recommendation to relocate council tenants to alternative accommodation “as soon as possible”.
The process of rehoming council tenants has been ongoing since then.
At a meeting on Wednesday, councillors voted to begin the demolition process.
Aberdeen City Council said the estimated demolition and landscaping work could cost between £20m to £25m and will take between three and four years.
The local authority added the rebuilding could cost an additional £130m or more and will take between five to 15 years.
Detailed delivery plans, including financing, are to be drawn up for consideration.
The council said several remedies were considered – including roof replacement – however demolition was judged to offer the quickest and most cost-effective way to remove the “high risk” posed by the lightweight concrete.
Councillor Miranda Radley, convener of the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee, said: “This is one of the hardest decisions the council has taken.
“We recognise the impact this will have on residents, many having lived in their home for many years.
“The absolute priority has to be their safety. The welfare of people is what matters most, and we will continue to offer individuals and families one-to-one support whilst meeting their housing needs as far as possible from existing stock.
“The council will also explore providing a mix of new homes for the longer-term, and we look forward to working with the local community and potential partners in developing the regeneration plans.”
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Rehomed council tenants are to be given first refusal on a replacement home matching their needs.
The council hopes to purchase the private properties by voluntary agreement to allow the demolition work to proceed “safely and smoothly” across the affected area.
Owners will be offered market value along with “reasonable” legal costs, and home loss and disturbance payments.
Private owners and tenants will be offered the same rehoming support as council tenants.
The local authority said both the UK and Scottish governments will be advised about the preferred option and the financial impact for the council and private owners.
The council added a meeting will be requested to “discuss funding support for the short-term costs and longer-term housing development requirements”.