Residents of Milton Street in Monifieth, Angus, are displaying a renewed sense of optimism following a U-turn by Angus Council regarding the handling of plans related to their homes built with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac). Historically, Raac has been linked with safety concerns, leading to increased scrutiny from the community.
The initial proposal was for councillors to review an options report concerning 25 council-owned properties in private. This decision faced significant backlash from residents, prompting the council to change course and agree that the options appraisal will now be considered in a public meeting. Speaking to The Courier, resident Williamina Rylance expressed hope that the council is finally taking their concerns seriously. "I’m glad they seem to be starting to listen, but it should never have come to the situation where they had to backtrack,” she stated.
The report, which is set to be discussed at Thursday’s full council meeting, will recommend that the affected council houses be fitted with replacement flat timber roofs. Notably, these houses are the only ones within the council’s 7,770-unit housing stock where Raac has been identified. However, it is important to note that around 50 privately-owned properties on the same street may also contain the material, raising additional concerns within the community.
While the council has committed to providing "one-on-one meetings, clear communication and regular updates" to council tenants, they have ruled out the option of compulsory purchases for private homes. Rylance expressed mixed feelings on the proposed flat roofs, stating, “I’m not overly thrilled that we’re not going to be having pitched roofs, you hear so much about flat roofs causing problems.” She conveyed skepticism regarding the council's promises and noted the ongoing stress the Raac situation has caused for residents, adding, “I know I’m sounding sceptical, but I just think they’re making promises they’re not going to fulfil.”
Despite the openness of the upcoming meeting, certain financial details regarding the costs of the recommended repairs will remain confidential. An Angus Council spokesperson explained that while the main components of the report referring to Raac will be available to the public, the anticipated costs of the proposed options have been moved to a separate exempt appendix due to their commercial sensitivity. This decision aims to ensure the council can secure the best value when inviting tenders for the necessary work.
In light of these developments, The Courier has initiated a campaign titled "Trapped by Raac," inviting readers to express their concerns and push for the issue to be discussed at a parliamentary level.
Source: Noah Wire Services