Aberdeen sets out demolition plan for RAAC-hit homes

Aberdeen sets out demolition plan for RAAC-hit homes

Aberdeen City Council has officially lodged documents outlining the proposed demolition process for 372 buildings affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the Balnagask community.

A council meeting back in August accepted officers’ recommendations for dealing with RAAC, drawn up after independent survey work, a detailed options appraisal, and extensive community engagement.

Several remedies were considered – including roof replacement – however demolition was judged to offer the quickest and most cost-effective way to remove the “high risk” posed by the lightweight concrete.

The decision will see 504 addresses, of which 366 are council properties and the remaining 138 privately owned, demolished and replaced by new social housing.

According to the documents, Aberdeen City Council is expecting to spend more than £130 million on the entire project.

Images included in the dossier reveal crumbling panels as more than 100 properties were inspected. They show cracks along the full length of ceiling slabs and signs of sagging or bending. All of the slabs had holes that increased the risk of water getting in and causing them to collapse.

Work has been ongoing to rehome council tenants in the city. But, those who own their properties are still waiting to see what will happen.

Engineering consultancy firm Fairhurst created a report that sets out how the demolition works will be carried out.

The process will be carried out as “safely as possible”, they say, taking particular care to reduce risk of nearby residents being exposed to materials including dust.

All homes found to have the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete will be knocked down, including a mix of terraced and semi-detached two-storey houses and flats.

The properties are on Balnagask Road, Farquhar Road, Pentland Crescent, Pentland Place, Rockall Place, Downies Brae and Girdleness Road.

Checks will be made to ensure asbestos is not present.

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