Aberdeen City Council evacuates tenants from properties containing RAAC panels

RAAC, which was commonly used in UK construction in 1960s and 1970s, was once regarded as an innovative, low-cost, lightweight building product that could be precast on site.

But more recently, there have been concerns that the material could make buildings structurally unsound as it reaches the end of its life.

Last year, surveyors in Aberdeen found RAAC concrete panels in around 500 homes in the city’s Balnagask area, including 364 council properties, with 299 occupied by council tenants.

The Council received an independent structural engineers’ report on the presence of RAAC in a representative sample of these properties on 22 February.

The survey recommended that council tenants be relocated to alternative accommodation within the city as soon as possible.

Officers are currently exploring options for the long-term viability for the site, which include remedial works or demolition. A detailed appraisal will be presented to Council within six months.

Councillor Miranda Radley, convener of the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee, said: “This is an incredibly difficult situation for everyone living in a RAAC affected property, but the Council will be doing everything we can to support our tenants during this hugely challenging time.”

“These are people’s homes and we need to ensure we support our tenants, but also engage with owners and privately rented tenants, to keep them informed on this matter.”

The committee agreed to set aside an initial £3 million to cover the rehoming programme.

RAAC has also been found in UK hospitals and schools. The government has committed to rebuild seven structurally unsound hospitals build with RAAC, each costing in the region of £1 billion (US$1.3 billion).

And last year, hundreds of English schools were found to contain the material, following surveys.