Residents of Torry have voiced their urgent concerns regarding the hazardous Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (Raac) found in their homes, during a recent meeting with Paul McLennan, Scotland’s Housing Minister. This meeting, held in Balnagask, marks the minister’s first engagement with the community since the Raac issue surfaced over a year ago, stirring frustration among those affected.

In a tense one-hour session, residents presented roughly 40 letters detailing their experiences, illustrating the deep emotional distress and uncertainty they face. Many feel ensnared in a convoluted blame game involving the city council, the Scottish Government, and the UK Government over funding and accountability. This situation underscores a critical failure of leadership at multiple levels of government.

Lynn Winstanley, a resident who attended the meeting, expressed her anger at the delayed response from authorities, saying, “I don’t care who is to blame… they all need to finally come together and sort the problem out.” Her call for the Scottish Government to create a dedicated fund for homeowners starkly contrasts with the meager compensation proposed by the city council, which leaves residents facing losses of £35,000 to £55,000. This financial shortfall paints a troubling picture of a government more concerned with shifting responsibility than supporting its citizens.

Ian Lippe, chair of the Torry Community Raac Campaign, echoed Winstanley’s sentiments, voicing his frustration at the lack of urgency from authorities. He disclosed that the council’s valuation of his home would lead to a significant loss of about £50,000. “What we’ve always said is give us full value for our houses and you can have our keys tomorrow,” he asserted, illustrating the harsh reality that many families face.

While the council has announced plans to demolish the homes by 2028, some homeowners are resisting selling their properties, adding yet another layer of complexity to this crisis. The psychological toll of uncertainty is evident, as families grapple with rising anxiety over their future.

When pressed about his delayed visit to the community, McLennan pointed to his meetings with Aberdeen City Council, claiming to have attended around eight to ten in the last year. However, he notably refrained from apologizing for the delay, instead deflecting responsibility by emphasizing that building safety is under local authority jurisdiction. His suggestion of needing a UK-wide fund only underscores the lack of immediate action and accountability from all levels of government.

Christian Allard, co-leader of Aberdeen City Council, also met with McLennan and reiterated the council’s efforts to secure funding since the crisis began. However, this feels like little more than lip service as residents remain in limbo. A collaborative plan is desperately needed, yet it appears lost amidst bureaucratic inertia.

As this dire situation unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that the government has failed to protect its own citizens. The Press and Journal has launched its “Trapped by Raac” campaign, highlighting the urgent need for a robust, coherent response from authorities. The stakes are high, and as families suffer through no fault of their own, it is apparent that real leadership must emerge to confront this avoidable crisis head-on.

Source: Noah Wire Services