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For months, homeowners in Hirwaun have been living with a quiet but deeply unsettling question: is my home safe?
That question arose after the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) — a lightweight building material now known to deteriorate and potentially fail without warning. Across the UK it has forced the closure of schools and public buildings. In Hirwaun, it has cast a long shadow over people’s homes.
In an effort to secure urgent support, campaigner Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group submitted Petition P-06-1549 to Senedd Cymru, calling for help for residents affected by RAAC on the Hirwaun estate.
Now, the Senedd Petitions Committee has decided to close that petition.
But while the political process may have reached a conclusion, the reality for homeowners has not.
A Small Community Facing a Big Structural Problem
RAAC was widely used in construction from the 1950s to the 1990s. At the time it was praised for being lightweight and efficient. Decades later, engineers discovered that the material can weaken over time and fail suddenly.
In recent years, the issue has triggered a national crisis affecting schools, hospitals and housing across Britain.
Yet in Wales, the problem appears concentrated in just one place.
In correspondence with the Petitions Committee, Jayne Bryant, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, confirmed that Hirwaun is the only estate in Wales currently known to be affected by RAAC in social housing.
For the residents living there, that distinction is little comfort.
Being the only affected community means they risk becoming a forgotten corner of a national crisis.
Raising the Issue at Government Level
The petition brought the concerns of Hirwaun residents directly to the Welsh Parliament.
Following contact from Wilson Chowdhry, Jayne Bryant confirmed she had raised the issue with the UK Government and written to Samantha Dixon, the UK Housing Minister, requesting support for Welsh residents impacted by RAAC.
This step matters.
Housing policy in Wales is largely devolved, but the wider RAAC crisis — and potential financial support — requires coordination with Westminster.
For residents, the hope is that this communication will lead to real assistance rather than simply acknowledgement.
The Petition Committee’s Decision
On 2 March 2026, the Senedd Petitions Committee considered the petition.
After reviewing the correspondence, committee members concluded that:
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The Welsh Government had acknowledged the issue.
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The Cabinet Secretary had engaged with the UK Government.
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Hirwaun is currently the only known affected estate in Wales.
As a result, the committee — chaired by Carolyn Thomas — decided to close the petition.
In a letter dated 10 March 2026, Carolyn Thomas thanked Wilson Chowdhry for bringing the matter forward and wished him well.
Procedurally, the petition had done its job.
But for residents living under RAAC roofs, the real work is only beginning.
When the Paperwork Ends but the Problem Remains
Closing a petition can sometimes create the impression that an issue has been resolved.
In this case, it hasn’t.
Homeowners in Hirwaun are still left facing serious questions:
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Are their homes structurally safe in the long term?
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Who will pay if expensive repairs or rebuilding is required?
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What protections exist if property values collapse?
Across the UK, similar RAAC cases have left residents trapped in homes they cannot sell and unable to afford repairs.
Without clear intervention, the same fate could await families in Hirwaun.
A Voice That Forced Attention
Despite the closure of the petition, it achieved something important.
It ensured that a small Welsh community affected by RAAC was formally heard at the highest level of Welsh democracy.
It prompted engagement between the Welsh Government and Westminster.
And it ensured that the concerns of residents are now on the political record.
For communities facing structural crises in their homes, that visibility can be the first step toward change.
The Story Is Not Over
The RAAC issue in Hirwaun is unlikely to disappear quietly.
If anything, the closure of the petition simply marks the end of one stage in a much longer process.
For the families living in these homes, the stakes are personal and immediate: safety, financial security, and peace of mind.
Until those questions are answered, the story of RAAC in Hirwaun remains unfinished.
And the residents will continue waiting — not for polite correspondence — but for real solutions.
📧 Email: wilson@aasecurity.co.uk
📢 Twitter/X: https://x.com/WilsonChowdhry
#RAACScandal #Petition2113 #ScottishParliament #SupportRAACVictims #EndTheSilence
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