Residents criticise council after RAAC found

Aberdeen homeowners affected by potentially dangerous concrete have criticised the city council for failing to communicate with them.

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was found to be in about 500 homes in the Balnagask area of Torry, including 364 council properties.

Hundreds of people were alerted to the problem on Thursday.

But homeowners say they felt "frustrated" and "like an after-thought" to the local authority.

Aberdeen City Council (ACC) said it would its tenants and engage with owners and privately rented tenants to keep them informed.

The Scottish government has said it will continue to keep in close with the local council to ensure those affected receive the appropriate .

RAAC is a cheap version of concrete that was used mostly in construction between the 1950s and 1990s.

It has a lifespan of about 30 years and concerns have mounted about the impact of water ingress on its safety.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said it was now beyond its lifespan and may "collapse with little or no notice".

BBC Scotland News understands ACC hopes the majority of council tenants will be rehomed by the end of the summer.

But homeowners fear they will have to leave their homes or spend thousands on surveying and repairs.

Lynn Winstanley, 62, moved into her property in Balnagask less than two years ago.

She told BBC Scotland the council had left them with very few options.

"It's very upsetting and it's not just me," she said. "Some people have lived here all their lives.

"Why weren't surveys done back then? The council must've known what these houses were made of."

She said the letter from the council said homeowners would need to their insurers and any legal assistance, surveying or work needed would be at their own cost.

"So basically we get no help," she said. "How does that affect our mortgages? We can't go and rent somewhere, we've already got a mortgage."

When asked if the council was doing enough, Ms Winstanley said: "No. There are hundreds of people already on the housing list, how are they going to accommodate everyone?

"They're not giving us enough information. We don't know what to do."

She has since set up a group to ensure the affected homeowners can share information and seek .

"I feel very frustrated and like we're an after-thought," she said.

"People have made these places their homes and now they're suddenly having to be uplifted and moved somewhere else.

"It's like starting all over again - and some people are not able to do it. Some people are not fit enough to do it."

Ms Winstanley urged the council to "step up and it that they made a big mistake" by selling properties with RAAC.

"The council have made it clear they'll look after their tenants and I understand that," she added.

"But these houses were originally owned by the council - they surely owe that to the people who have bought their properties":[]}