UK: Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Homeowners Campaign Group, has today issued an open letter to Kevin Wells, Strategic Director for Place at Clackmannanshire Council, urging the Council to reconsider its current decision to proceed with remedial works on homes affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). 

The call follows a recent announcement by the Housing Minister, who granted Aberdeen City Council bespoke financial flexibilities, allowing the release of £10 million from the Affordable Homes Fund. This move has enabled Aberdeen to use its own resources to offer fixed payments to affected homeowners, bringing compensation closer to pre-RAAC or near pre-RAAC market values. 

In his open letter, Mr Chowdhry argues that this sets an important precedent and calls on Clackmannanshire Council to seek similar concessions from the Scottish Government. Such flexibility, he says, could make a demolish-and-rebuild approach viable—offering families a permanent, fair, and humane solution after years of uncertainty and loss. 

“Aberdeen City Council has shown that where there is will, there is a way,” said Wilson Chowdhry. “If the Scottish Government is willing to provide flexibility for one local authority, there is no reason why Clackmannanshire Council cannot make the same case. Homeowners here have been through unimaginable distress — financial ruin, mental strain, and years of limbo. A rebuild programme, coupled with fair compensation, would finally restore dignity and justice to these families.” 

Mr Chowdhry’s letter also highlights the urgent need for action given the imminent start of remediation works at Park Street, warning that “irreversible commitments” could be made before new funding opportunities are explored. He further calls for clarity on delays to the release of paperwork for homeowner Lynsey McQuater a NHS Nurse, who has suffered severe depression and time off work as a result of the prolonged uncertainty. 

The letter appeals for compassionate leadership and urges the Council to act swiftly in engaging with the Housing Minister to pursue a fair and sustainable resolution: 

“This is a pivotal moment for Clackmannanshire Council to demonstrate leadership, compassion, and fairness,” Mr Chowdhry added. “A generous council would not only seize this opportunity to rebuild safer homes, but also compensate the shattered families who have carried the burden of this crisis for far too long.”