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Fiona Crichton, a homeowner of a two-bedroom flat in Tillicoultry, has been unable to access or rent out her property since it was condemned in October 2023. The cause? RAAC — Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete — a now-infamous crumbly concrete once used in construction, which is now recognised as a serious safety risk.
Recently, negotiations between Clackmannanshire Council and affected homeowners have centred on removing the dangerous RAAC roofs and replacing them with safe wooden cassette structures. One of the proposals under consideration includes loans issued as a sundry debt, secured by a charge on the property. These loans would assist with essential structural work and the making good of the ceilings. However, homeowners like Miss Crichton would be left to reinstate the interiors of their homes and fund any additional renovations themselves.
While the council has assured residents that any damage caused by their contractors would be compensated — even confirming that costs for windows damaged during post-evacuation shuttering will be covered — Fiona’s experience raises serious concerns about how these vacant properties are being managed and the council’s willingness to take responsibility when it matters.
Valuation Photos Reveal Shocking State of Property
As part of the loan assessment process, homeowners were required to consent to valuations of their properties—covering both the current market value and a forecasted value after remediation. However, this approach appears to contradict the agreement reached during the 15th May 2025 council hearing on a petition submitted by Wilson Chowdhry, Chairperson of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, and Lynsey McQuater, Chairperson of the Tillicoultry RAAC Campaign Group, and heard on 3rd April 2025. The petition also explicitly requested a pre-RAAC declaration valuation.
Mr. Chowdhry believes that the council’s failure to provide this initial valuation may be a deliberate tactic to gauge the potential increase in property values after remediation, possibly to reconsider demolition or to calculate loan interest based on inflated property values. He describes this as a covert way of imposing a stealth tax on some of the most vulnerable residents—those who have already lost their homes during an exceptionally difficult time.
Mr. Chowdhry has called for a firm assurance from the council that a pre-RAAC valuation will be provided as originally requested and ratified.
During the valuation process, Miss Crichton requested photos of her home to understand its condition ahead of the valuation.
What she received was shocking.
The images clearly show extensive internal damage: carpets and LVT flooring scratched and filthy, broken plaster scattered across the floors, and crushed debris embedded into surfaces. This, Fiona asserts, is the result of careless work by contractors who entered the home to create ceiling hatches for RAAC inspections without placing any protective coverings on the flooring or furniture.
Fiona Chrichton said:
"In one of the rooms, the ceiling hatches run the entire length — but they’ve been cut at inconsistent sizes and look completely haphazard. The mess left behind is disgraceful. Honestly, my five-year-old son makes less mess and takes more responsibility for cleaning up."
Mr. Wilson Chowdhry, whose daughter owns a RAAC-affected home in Aberdeen, said:
"The scale of plaster removal in Clackmannanshire homes is several times greater than what we’ve seen in Aberdeen. There, contractors took care to install access panels that could be neatly opened for future inspections. By contrast, what’s been done here looks more like a job from 'Bob the Builder' — rushed, careless, and completely unprofessional."
Worse still, Fiona was horrified to see her front door and door frame visibly damaged — clear evidence of a forced entry. Yet when she raised these concerns, she was met with blanket denial from the council.
Kim Grieve, Project Co-ordinator at Clackmannanshire Council, wrote in an email:
“Apart from some items being moved aside for clear access to create the ceiling hatches, the property was found in this condition.”
Fiona strongly refutes this. She replied:
“My flat was not in this condition before the evacuation. As I said, I was in the flat a few weeks before the evacuation. Plus a tradesman was in the day before the evacuation. It was definitely not like this.
It was in excellent condition. The carpets and LVT flooring have clearly been damaged. Plus I can see from the photo that the front door has been opened by force. A key has not been used.”
She also reported that a washer-dryer which had been fully functional prior to the evacuation no longer works — adding to her growing list of grievances.
Denial and Lack of Responsibility
The council's refusal to acknowledge responsibility for the damage has left Fiona deeply frustrated. She notes that her property was well-maintained for her tenants and that the implication they lived in such conditions is both false and offensive.
Mr Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, who has been actively supporting residents, confirmed that Fiona's concern had already been raised with the council — notably during a meeting at Clackmannanshire Council’s Kilncraig building. He expressed dismay that despite these concerns being aired in a formal setting, no effort was made by the council to address the damage before sending out the photos.
Mr Chowdhry further stated:
“I personally asked council officers if they needed keys for any flats to undertake the valuations, and Kevin Wells confirmed that the council already had keys for all the properties.”
Fiona has repeatedly maintained that she never provided a key — leading to a disturbing conclusion that someone either forced their way into the flat or failed to use a proper locksmith. “The fact that someone thought a good kick was a valid form of entry is disturbing to say the least,” Mr Chowdhry said.
Miss Crichton explained:
"I only found out about the evacuation when my tenant called to say that police and council officials were forcing them out of the property. The council maintained minimal communication with me and dealt directly with the tenants. Even after I refunded their full rent, the key to my home was never returned. I tried to reach the council, but no one would take responsibility — the lead officer, Mr. Wilson Lees, was on holiday. I was alarmed to receive a Sheriff’s notice warning of penalties for denying the council access, yet I couldn’t get hold of anyone who actually understood what was happening. I assumed the council had collected the keys from the tenants, but learning they didn’t — and instead chose to force entry — is deeply disturbing."
Council Silence and Escalating Concerns
Despite multiple calls made by Mr Chowdhry to Kevin Wells, Strategic Director: Place, there has been no response. Meanwhile, Fiona’s follow-up email to Kim Grieve remains unanswered.
Mr. Chowdhry has voiced growing concern over the council’s increasing lack of responsiveness since residents reluctantly agreed to the proposed remediation works — a significant shift from the council’s earlier stance, which involved more than a year of indecision over possible demolition while properties sat empty. “It feels like, once the council secured agreement on their preferred option, communication and care began to deteriorate,” he said.
A Call for Action
On Monday 9th June, Fiona, Mr Chowdhry, and other residents will be meeting again with council officers and the proposed contractor from 2–4pm at the Hawkhill Community Centre. Residents intend to raise these issues formally and seek a clear commitment:
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That all damage caused by the council or its agents is acknowledged and fully compensated for.
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That future contractors act with care and professionalism, including using protective coverings and proper access procedures.
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That the council respects the dignity and rights of homeowners whose properties they have taken control of.
Mr Chowdhry, concluded: "This is not just about Fiona Crichton. It's about the beleaguered displaced homeowners who feel ignored, disrespected, and harmed — not just by RAAC, but by the very authority tasked with supporting them."
A Community at Breaking Point: Protest and Petition
Residents have now reached their limit. They are demanding justice, accountability, and dignity from Clackmannanshire Council.
📍 PROTEST:
Monday 9th June at 12pm
Outside Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB
Join displaced homeowners as they protest the ongoing mismanagement, poor communication, and lack of compensation.
📝 PETITION:
Support the campaign for national recognition and action on RAAC housing:
👉 Sign here
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