Meeting for RAAC-affected residents

RAAC-affected residents in Tillicoultry are to meet senior Clackmannanshire Council officials today.

It comes amid "uncertainty" over their future.

They've been out for nearly three years after the potentially dangerous material was found.

The UK RAAC Campaign Group has criticised the long wait for a meeting.

When the date for the meeting was confirmed, Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, said:

“I welcome the Council finally putting dates on the table, but it is deeply disappointing that homeowners have had to campaign so persistently simply to secure a meeting they were already promised.

“I have spoken with all of the affected homeowners, and there was a unanimous view that they could not accept any further unnecessary delay. The 3rd September was therefore the clear choice. Even so, residents are still being asked to wait almost another month for a meeting they have been requesting for some time.

“These families have already waited years. They have lived with the uncertainty of RAAC, disputed property valuations, changing offers and significant financial costs, including mortgages, insurance and other expenses. They have been repeatedly asked to be patient while funding and other options were explored.

“Then, before the promised meeting had even been arranged, homeowners received what appeared to be final financial positions from the Council. Some of the latest offers also appear to differ substantially from previous figures, including one homeowner being offered more than £13,500 above their original offer while another has seen an offer reduced by £5,000.

“When figures change by thousands of pounds, homeowners are entitled to understand why. They deserve transparency about how valuations have been calculated, what funding options were explored, what happened to proposals for additional assistance and how issues such as VAT and potential environmental grants have been taken into account.

“The emotional impact of this process must not be underestimated. These homeowners did not choose to have RAAC in their properties and they did not choose to spend years living with uncertainty over their homes and financial futures.

“We do not want confrontation. We want a constructive meeting where homeowners can finally receive clear answers directly from those responsible for making these decisions.

“The 3rd September must therefore be more than another meeting where concerns are recorded and residents are asked to wait again. Homeowners need answers, transparency and a clear path towards a fair resolution.

“They have waited long enough.”