The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Moray has lodged planning proposals to remove and replace the roof on the Speyside wing of its main campus in Elgin, a move described in planning documents as essential to address structural risks linked to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
Background and safety concerns
RAAC, a lightweight form of concrete commonly used in construction between the 1950s and 1990s, was identified in the Speyside wing in September 2023. At that time staff were informed that the presence of the material did not pose a risk to the adjoining Alexander Graham Bell building, but part of the Speyside wing has remained closed to staff and the public since the discovery.
Planning documents submitted to Moray Council state that the planned roof works are required to mitigate the "structural risks" associated with the existing RAAC structure, and to allow the section to be brought safely back into use for teaching.
What the proposals show
The application sets out a full strip and renewal of the roof covering on the Speyside wing, which sits next to Hay Street close to the junction with Moray Street and is attached to the Alexander Graham Bell building. Architectural drawings included with the submission show a new roof design and the installation of solar panels across the replacement roof.
- Location: Speyside wing, main UHI Moray campus, Elgin (adjacent to Alexander Graham Bell building)
- Issue: RAAC detected in September 2023; part of the wing closed
- Proposal: Remove and replace roof; install solar panels
- Purpose: Address structural risks and return teaching space to use
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Material found | RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) |
| Closure | Part of Speyside wing closed since September 2023 |
| Planned works | Remove and replace roof, install solar panels |
Local impact and context
UHI Moray’s campus in Elgin is a significant educational and community presence in the town. The continued closure of part of the Speyside wing has meant a reduction in accessible teaching space for staff and students since the RAAC discovery more than two years ago. Replacing the roof would not only tackle the immediate safety concerns associated with RAAC but would also help restore the campus’s full operational capacity.
The inclusion of solar panels in the designs points to an ambition to couple necessary safety work with energy efficiency measures. If approved and delivered, those additions could reduce the campus’s energy demand and align with public-sector incentives to decarbonise buildings.
RAAC has been a wider national issue across public buildings in recent years. While UHI Moray’s earlier communication emphasised that the discovery did not present a risk to adjacent buildings, the presence of RAAC has prompted closures and repair programmes in schools, hospitals and other facilities across the UK because of its known vulnerabilities, particularly when exposed to moisture.
Next steps
The planning application has been submitted to Moray Council and will be considered in line with the council’s usual process. Should permission be granted, the university will be able to progress the necessary remedial works aimed at returning the Speyside wing to safe educational use.
Documents submitted by UHI Moray describe the roof works as “essential” to address the “structural risks” associated with the existing RAAC structure.
Residents, staff and students will be watching the timetable for the works closely. Restoring the affected wing would be an important step towards normalising campus life and ensuring that teaching resources in Elgin are fully available once more.
