Campaigners call for Raac support fund to be 'ring-fenced'

John Meiklejohn said homeowners were concerned the funding would be diverted elsewhere

Homeowners evacuated from their properties due to dangerous concrete have called on Aberdeen City Council to "ring-fence" £10m of Scottish government funding.

More than 500 homes in Balnagask, in the Torry area of the city, are thought to contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac).

Housing secretary Màiri McAllan said money had been freed up from another housing fund which could be used to support those affected.

But private owners said there were no clear terms set out for how it would be used and fear it may be spent on alternative Raac-related projects.

They staged a demonstration to highlight the issue outside the SNP conference in Aberdeen on Saturday.

Several homeowners are yet to accept offers on their properties – which are set to be demolished – citing the valuation as "too low".

More than 500 homes in Balnagask are thought to contain Raac

John Meiklejohn was among the homeowners who took part in the demonstration.

He said some of his former neighbours were facing shortfalls of up to £50,000 for their homes.

Mr Meiklejohn added the residents were uncomfortable with the language around the allocation of the funding.

And he wanted assurances from the council that the money would be used to remediate those now looking for alternative accommodation.

He told BBC Scotland News: "The term that was used was that it 'can be used' to remediate Raac. I'm not comfortable with 'can'.

"It's not clear how or even if Aberdeen City Council will use it for that.

"It may be used for something Raac-related, but will not give any form of assistance to homeowners and we will still be facing huge shortfalls in the value of our properties."

Homeowners affected by Raac protested outside the SNP conference in Aberdeen on Saturday

Mr Meiklejohn said campaigners needed more assurances.

He added: "We have been living in hell for two years since it was announced that our houses are essentially worthless and dangerous. That is not acceptable."

Raac is a lightweight material used in construction between the 1950s and 1990s as a cheaper alternative to standard concrete.

However, it is also less durable and is only meant to have a lifespan of about 30 years.

This has lead to concerns that buildings in which it was used could become unstable over time.

Thousands of homes, private and public buildings across Scotland are thought to contain the material.

Housing secretary Màiri McAllan said it was up to the council to decide how the money was allocated

McAllan, who is due to meet with campaigners later this month, said the Scottish government was "not in position" to create a national Raac remediation fund.

However, she added it would consider individual requests from local authorities.

The housing secretary said the Scottish government was unable to direct Aberdeen City Council - which is run by an SNP and Liberal Democrat coalition - on exactly how to spend the money.

She said: "The decision will be for Aberdeen City Council and I would encourage them to work very closely with residents affected by this for the benefit of people in the area.

"I don't see that there is a middle ground, but it is for the council to decide.

"What we have done is made £10m more available from an existing affordable homes project to allow the council to free up £10m, that they otherwise would have spent on that, to address Raac.

"But the money has been made available and it is up to the council on how best to use that in that area."