Hundreds of homes to be demolished due to RAAC

Aberdeen City Council has decided to demolish and rebuild more than 500 homes found to contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), a potentially dangerous material. The project, which could take up to 15 years to complete, is estimated to cost over £150 million.

Earlier this year, RAAC was identified in 504 properties in Aberdeen's Balnagask area, comprising 366 council-owned and 138 privately owned homes, prompting a series of discussions on the best course of action for addressing the issue. Aberdeen City Council has now voted to proceed with demolition and reconstruction as the preferred solution.

The demolition phase is expected to cost between £20 and £25 million and could take up to four years to complete. The rebuilding, which the council said will see new homes constructed to modern energy-efficient standards, is projected to cost around £130 million and could take between five and 15 years.

The council is currently in discussions with the Scottish government to secure funding for the project. Council officials have stressed that there is "no perfect solution," but that doing nothing is not an option.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, Councillor Miranda Radley, convener of the communities, housing, and public protection committee, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision. "This is one of the hardest decisions the council has had to take," she said. "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."

A detailed plan for the construction of new properties is expected next year, and the council will assess the best options for progressing the redevelopment in the coming months. The council also plans to negotiate the purchase of the 138 privately owned homes at market value prior to demolition. So far, only 151 of the affected council tenants have secured new leases.