Avon Drive, a residential estate in Linlithgow Bridge, West Lothian, is facing a pressing issue: the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in some homes.
This discovery has
prompted a wave of concern among the 52 homeowners and 11 tenants within the
affected properties.
In early February, residents received
letters from West Lothian Council, notifying them of the RAAC presence in
homes still owned by the local authority. Understandably, this news has
triggered apprehension regarding the safety of their residences, potential
financial burdens, and the inability to sell their properties.
In response to this alarming revelation,
the homeowners convened their inaugural meeting on the 4th of April. Despite
the absence of local councillors, the gathering proved fruitful as attendees
received valuable guidance from a local structural engineer. With over 40
participants in attendance, the meeting served as a platform to discuss crucial
next steps.
Chief among their concerns is the financial
strain imposed by the necessary surveys, insurance complications, and the
exorbitant costs associated with RAAC removal. Many residents, particularly
retirees and those already grappling with high mortgage payments, find
themselves financially ill-equipped to address these challenges.
The timing of this crisis is particularly
daunting as it unfolds amidst a broader cost-of-living crisis, exacerbated by
governmental errors. The residents emphasize that they lack the resources to
shoulder the financial burden alone.
Moreover, the residents express dismay at
the apparent lack of engagement from local authorities and government agencies.
They highlight growing evidence from other parts of West Lothian and across
Scotland, indicating a systemic failure to address similar issues promptly.
In light of these concerns, residents of
Avon Drive are mobilizing to demand urgent financial assistance from local
councillors, Member of Parliament Martyn Day, and Member of Scottish Parliament
Fiona Hyslop. Furthermore, they call for a public inquiry to thoroughly
investigate the origins of the crisis and hold responsible parties to account.
The plight of Avon Drive residents underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to safeguard homeowners facing similar predicaments across Scotland. Without swift intervention and comprehensive support, these communities risk enduring prolonged uncertainty and financial hardship. Authorities must heed their calls and take decisive action to address this pressing issue.
One homeowner, Alison, shared her sentiments regarding the
issue with Wilson Chowdhry of the UK RAAC Campaign Group. She said:
"My husband Scott and I have lived in the house for almost 8 years with our two children. It’s needed a fair bit of work and we have poured hard-earned savings into trying to upgrade it, including a new roof 5 years ago and renewing the rough cast. This home was our investment in our future and we are devastated by this development. We are supporting our daughter at university with our son following in a year and like many others, our mortgage payments have rocketed. We keep our heads above water but absolutely do not have the funds to rectify this problem."
"It feels like no one is willing to listen to us and there are brick walls around vital information. Why were these materials used? Did local authorities knowingly sell off housing stock they knew were storing up problems? When were they first aware of problems? Why did they not deal with this problem when it arose in Deans? So many unanswered questions that need a public enquiry to address."
"I was extremely anxious after receiving the letter from West Lothian Council. I found it difficult to sleep and it was becoming overwhelming. I decided to set up a WhatsApp for the homeowners in Avon Drive and organise a meeting. The response has been incredible and the anger and worry in that room was palpable. We want answers and we want support from the government."
Alison and other residents of Linlithgow are rallying behind the petition initiated by Hannah Chowdhry. The petition calls for a national fund to assist individuals impacted by the RAAC crisis, the initiation of a public inquiry into local authorities and their role in the RAAC dilemma, and the enactment of new laws to safeguard homebuyers from future RAAC or similar ex-council building issues. Signing the petition does not necessitate being directly affected; it is open to anyone who cares about the welfare of affected individuals. You can access the petition (here).
Wilson Chowdhry, a member of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, said:
"Accountability is paramount in this situation,
particularly when it's glaringly evident that local authorities are implicated.
"In locales like Aberdeen City, it seems a clearance
operation is underway, with unsightly buildings being demolished, yet without
adequate compensation for residents who were sold these substandard homes by
the council.
"Council tenants are being forced to uproot their lives with
scant resources provided to compensate for their investments in rental
properties, their cherished homes, or to cover the substantial relocation
costs.
"Local authorities across Scotland and the rest of the UK are
claiming poverty, citing stretched budgets that supposedly hinder them from
offering fuller support to homeowners and private tenants, while bureaucratic
indifference tightens its grip on local decisions.
"The Scottish Government has stated they will not support
homeowners and haven't even addressed the impact on affected private tenants,
feigning budgetary constraints as they allow the latest Scottish clearances to
proceed.
"Rishi Sunak, the UK Prime Minister, has declared no support
will be provided to UK homeowners, asserting that housing falls under the remit
of the devolved Scottish Government, which he claims has the funds to resolve
the matter. At that time, he may not have been aware that several English
councils were affected. We must now redouble our efforts to compel all parties
involved to engage and find a solution to aid thousands of homeowners and
tenants who face crippling financial debt and homelessness due to cost-saving measures employed by local
authorities when building homes."
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