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On Saturday 10th May 2025, Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, met with 15 local residents representing 10 households affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in Hirwaun. The meeting, held in response to limited engagement from Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council, aimed to support residents in organising a more effective response to the growing RAAC housing crisis. Mr Chowdhry opened the meeting with the following statement:
"Thank you
for joining us at this meeting. We’re here because 77 homes on your estate—60 managed by
Trivallis and 17 privately owned—were found to contain RAAC, a dangerous and
now discredited building material.
Over a year
has passed since this discovery, yet many of you still live under unsafe roofs
with no clear solution. Trivallis proposed a £23,000 “safety deck system,” but
it has since come to light that this is not a permanent fix—and the contractor
used is not a RAAC or roofing specialist. Meanwhile, financial aid from the
Welsh Government is limited, and many homeowners are left with unmanageable
costs.
You’ve had
little to no meaningful communication from Trivallis or Rhondda Cynon Taf
Council, and formal attempts to raise our concerns—including a request for a
deputation—have been dismissed. Many residents are experiencing severe mental
and financial strain, and are being forced to live in uncertainty.
This meeting will provide a space to support one another, exchange vital information, and unite in the push for permanent, safe, and affordable solutions. Together, we will make our voices heard and fight for the justice your community deserves."
During the meeting, Mr Chowdhry presented the benefits of forming a constituted residents' group. He explained:
“Councils often prioritize constituted groups over individuals because constituted groups offer a formal structure and can represent broader community interests, making them easier to engage with and hold accountable. This is especially true when dealing with grant applications, planning applications, or other matters where a formal representative can provide a clearer and more reliable point of contact.”
Mr Chowdhry offered the support of the UK RAAC Campaign Group as an associate member, clarifying:
“An associate member is someone who is affiliated with a group or organisation but does not have full membership status. They may support the group’s aims, attend meetings, and contribute in various ways, but typically do not have voting rights or decision-making powers.”
Local residents welcomed the advice and expressed interest in forming a group but requested time to consider the structure and responsibilities before moving forward. A recommendation was made to contact RCT Interlink on 01443 846200 for further guidance and support with constitution templates. Further research into contracts and legal obligations was also advised before any formal steps are taken.
Key campaign topics discussed at the meeting included the current UK Government petition spearheaded by the UK RAAC Campaign calling for:
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A UK-wide public inquiry into the RAAC scandal
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Full government funding and reinstatement of First-Time buyer status for affected homeowners
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Protection from discriminatory mortgage and insurance laws
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Inclusion of RAAC-affected homes on a national high-risk property register
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Extension of cladding remediation funds or Affordable Housing funds or creation of a unique new national fund to RAAC-impacted properties
Mr Chowdhry outlined the current petition strategy, including the goal of collecting 5,500 signatures within six weeks for UK-wide consideration. He also proposed starting a separate petition for Wales, requiring just 250 signatures for a committee review and 10,000 for a Senedd debate. Residents discussed the possibility of launching petitions locally outside RCT Council and the Senedd during protests, using posters in local shops and pubs to encourage participation.
The meeting also covered:
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Publicity: Strategies for promoting the group's work via social media, community outreach, and press engagement.
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Deputation: Mr Chowdhry will attempt to initiate direct representation to RCT Council and the Welsh Parliament.
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Next Steps: A future meeting is to be scheduled, with letters being considered as a means of updating tenants who were unable to attend or have not yet been reached through previous communications.
The meeting concluded with a proposal to organise peaceful protests outside Rhondda Cynon Taf Council headquarters and the Welsh Parliament, aimed at raising public awareness and pressuring authorities to take urgent action. Residents will consider the proposal further before confirming whether to proceed.
Lesley Lewis, the de facto leader of the Hirwaun Homeowners Community, whose parents own a property in the area, has voiced her concerns about the age of many affected residents and the lack of support from the local council and the Welsh Government. At the conclusion of the meeting, she stated:
“I’ve arranged a meeting for Thursday so homeowners can vote on whether or not to form a constitution. I’ll also be visiting the homes again tomorrow to encourage those who haven’t yet participated in meetings to join us on Thursday.
We should have a decision by then on whether the community wants to move forward with the proposal discussed yesterday.”
Should have an answer by Thursday as to whether they want to move forward with what was proposed yesterday.
For more information or to support the campaign, please contact:
UK RAAC Campaign Group
wilson@aasecurity.co.uk
