MORE than one in 50 council homes in Clacks have been found to contain traces of a dangerous crumbling concrete.

A survey revealed that reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) - which can leave buildings prone to collapse - was present in 102 of 5,000 properties within the local authority's housing stock.

The Clackmannanshire Council findings have been released as councillors prepare to discuss what to do about homes and buildings that are badly affected, with a meeting next week.

As reported by the Advertiser in October, RAAC was first identified as an issue in Clacks after a building was evacuated in Chapelle Crescent, Tillicoultry over safety fears.

Two further blocks of flats in High Street and Park Street were cleared the following week, displacing dozens of residents as the council prevented access to the buildings.

Councillors are yet to discuss possible options as they await structural engineer reports on the viability of repairing the buildings as opposed to demolishing them.

A report states: “We have not received all written survey reports from the building engineers, in particular the evacuated properties under the exception of Chapelle Crescent.

“Once reports have been received, reviewed and discussed with the other owners of those buildings that have been evacuated (and those buildings where the RAAC is considered to be ‘managed and monitored’ in terms of any works required), a further report will be brought back to council with options to be considered.

“It is anticipated that if there are any recommended remedial actions, they will be complex, lengthy and generally not easy to undertake.

“We expect there to be considerable cost involved in a number of areas progressing in any recommended works.

“Any solutions proposed will need to be considered both on their technical feasibility and financial/economic/legal viability.”

Traces of RAAC in small amounts does not constitute a risk to the public straight away, but large quantities of it in structures can pose a real threat to building stability.

Meanwhile, residents who have been forced to leave their homes have now been offered temporary short-term leases.

One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, explained that while they were happy to be rehomed for the time being, they still have concerns about the council’s plan.

They said: “I’m getting moved into a short-term tenancy, which I’m relieved about.

“Depending on what the council decides to do, that’ll depend if I can go back to Tillicoultry or if I need to stay in the new tenancy.

“My concern is that these flats get fixed but then the same thing happens 30 years from now and it happens all over again.

“I’ve got a lot of things in that flat that hold sentimental value and I need to know what’s going to happen with them if the flat gets knocked down.”