A phased approach for the demolition of council and private homes affected by RAAC in Aberdeen has been agreed.
Project Scotland reported in August 2024 that an estimated 366 council and 138 private addresses in the Balnagask area of Torry, Aberdeen, were found to have RAAC in roof panels.
Proposals have now been accepted by the Aberdeen City Council communities, housing, and public protection committee for the initial phasing of demolition and landscaping at the site, with AtkinsRealis procured to manage this phase of works.
Councillor Miranda Radley, convener of the communities, housing, and public protection committee, said, “Aberdeen City Council has agreed an indicative plan for the demolition of the unsafe RAAC affected properties it owns, and the council will continue to work with the community as these plans move forward. Tailored, one-to-one support for each and every individual or family living in a RAAC-affected property will continue as we progress with voluntary acquisition and the demolition plans are finalised.”
Vice-convener councillor Dell Henrickson added, “This has been a hard decision that the council has undertaken, and I would like to extend my thanks to the local community for continuing to engage with us throughout this process. Councillors agreed to the demolition and landscaping to be done in four phases, with the first phased approach seeing only vacant terraces or individual groups of properties which are fully owned by the council being demolished.”
The local authority added that it will aim to purchase private properties affected by RAAC by voluntary agreement to allow for the demolition of follow-on phases to proceed safely and smoothly.
It was previously considered in August 2024 following a detailed options appraisal and extensive community engagement, including discussions with the Torry RAAC campaign management committee, to demolish and rebuild affected homes on site.
Design work for the new masterplan for the impacted area is underway. This will be considered at a future date, the council added.
