No Torry RAAC properties acquired by council, report says

No Torry RAAC properties have been acquired under Aberdeen City Council's voluntary purchase scheme, according to a new council report.

The local authority are looking to purchase 138 privately owned properties in the Balnagask area due to plans to demolish them.

In September, homeowners were notified of the beginning of the process but many refused to engage over the conditions of the purchase order.

Private owners are being offered current market value for their homes, meaning they are being valued with the presence of RAAC in them.

The Voluntary Purchase Order (VPO) process is being carried out independently by Valuation Office Agency (VOA) on behalf of the council.

Now, a council report states that as of 20 January, only four residents indicated they will accept an offer but no offers have been concluded yet.

Out of the 138 households, 55 proceeded to a valuation and 46 formal offers have been made.

In December, a resident who wished to remain anonymous, told Northsound 1 she felt "absolutely devastated" after being offered £68,000 for her three-bedroom home.

No homes acquired

Wilson Chowdhry, who set up the UK Community RAAC Campaign, gave a deputation at Wednesday's full council meeting, criticising the process.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Chowdhry said: "Homeowners are being offered a pittance for their properties. We're talking fractions.

"For instance, my daughter paid £130,000 for her home, the value of that home would now - under this current scheme - probably be around £50,000 to £70,000."

"The suggestion there is quite clear that the residents aren't going to accept offers that don't meet pre-RAAC recommendations."

Aberdeen City Council previously said the VPO is being carried out independently on behalf of the council and is following statutory guidance.

A spokesperson said: “The proposed compensation package for the voluntary acquisition of privately owned properties is being negotiated by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), an independent organisation, on behalf of Aberdeen City Council. The VOA is following the process in accordance with statutory guidance.

“The discussions to date regarding market value are being conducted with those homeowners who have given their consent. Each claim is based on its own merit and will vary on individual circumstances.

“The Council continues to hold meetings with key stakeholders and individuals and is in dialogue with representatives from both the UK and Scottish Governments in regards to funding and fiscal flexibility.

"It would not be appropriate to comment on individual offers being made to homeowners.”

Homes to be demolished

In February 2024, more than 500 residents were told they would need to leave their homes 'as soon as possible' after inspections found RAAC within the roof panels.

36\6 of the properties are council-owned and 138 are privately owned, but all buildings were initially council properties with some sold through the Right to Buy scheme.

It was revealed in August last year that the council's preferred option was to demolish the properties, which could take until 2028 to complete.

The local authority then plan to build new homes on the site.

As of 15 January, almost a year on, 69 council properties are still occupied with most having received or accepted offers.

Only four are still occupied and have not accepted an offer for alternative housing.

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