RAAC repair scheme for Dundee council homes recommended for approval at cost of over £21m

A multi-million repair scheme for RAAC-affected Dundee council homes has been recommended for approval.

This comes after Dundee City Council approved a £500,000 pilot repair scheme last year.

This involved installing a new roof structure directly below the RAAC in five void properties, ensuring the concrete is fully supported and made structurally redundant.

Now councillors will be asked to approve a city-wide remediation plan at a meeting next week.

The accompanying report reveals that close to 1,000 properties across the city have been found to contain RAAC.

In the report, officers have recommended that the approach implemented for the pilot project should be carried out for all RAAC-impacted council properties.

The report said: “Permanent support from below involves construction of a grid of timber/steel beams to fully support the RAAC, making it structurally redundant.

“No risk of failure and no ongoing need for the maintenance inspections requirements.

“This solution has no weather dependencies and can be undertaken on a property-by-property basis, minimising programme and decant implication.”

The report also details that “the remediation programme is focused on
homes owned by the council or in blocks where the council retains an interest.”

If agreed, work is scheduled to begin in January next year, with the project expected to cost £21.6m

The first phase of the program would see works carried out at 48 properties, including four that are privately owned, on Whitfield Avenue and Kirk Street.

Further phases and the detailed breakdown of areas included will be confirmed through future reports.

Private homeowners could be hit with a bill for recommended work

However, the report also details that private homeowners who live in properties where the proposed works are being carried out could be charged.

In the report it says: “Remediation costs associated with privately owned properties within blocks that have a council interest will be recharged where appropriate.

“Officers within Dundee City Council have requested full funding support from the Scottish Government for both tenants and owners affected by RAAC, including potential support through the Scheme of Assistance.

“The Scottish Government has confirmed that no additional funding is available.

“Officers and civil servants will continue to engage to determine whether any future funding opportunities or flexibilities can be identified to support tenants and owners.”