Nether Davah House, Inverurie

We fully understand the strength of feeling around the current proposals and the deep concern about the potential impact on tenants and their communities. These are not easy conversations, and we want to respond openly and honestly.

It is true that the challenges facing Sheltered Housing have not emerged overnight. The service has been under review since 2018 because it was clear that it was not financially sustainable in its current form. Since then, the situation has worsened due to rising costs for capital upgrades and a decline in demand—particularly following the pandemic. These pressures have brought us to a point where difficult decisions must be considered to protect the long-term future of housing services for all tenants.

We want to be clear: no decision has been made to close any scheme at this stage. Proposals are still under consideration and will only proceed following a decision by the Communities Committee. If any changes are approved, they will be managed with care, and tenants will receive extensive support throughout the process.

While we acknowledge that some individuals may disagree with the proposals or the process, we are confident that the consultation has been thorough and fair. We remain focused on ensuring that any decisions made are based on evidence, financial sustainability, and the long-term well-being of all tenants.

Our goal is not to “force” anyone out of their home, but to ensure that we can continue to provide safe, appropriate, and sustainable housing for older people across Aberdeenshire. We remain committed to working with tenants and communities to explore all viable options and to support those affected with dignity and respect.

Thank you for your message and for raising important questions about the future of Nether Davah House. We understand the strength of feeling around this issue and appreciate the opportunity to provide further clarity.

Firstly, we want to acknowledge that Nether Davah House is a well-regarded scheme with consistently high occupancy, a strong community, and excellent access to local amenities, including a bus stop at the door. These are all valued attributes and were fully considered in the review process.

However, it’s important to clarify that decisions were not based on occupancy alone. All sheltered housing schemes were assessed using a consistent set of four key criteria:

While Nether Davah performs well in terms of location and occupancy, other factors—such as the long-term investment required to maintain or upgrade the building, and its ability to meet future accessibility and safety standards—also had to be considered.

Regarding financial sustainability, the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), which funds sheltered housing, is entirely self-financed through tenants’ rents and service charges. It does not receive additional funding from the wider Council budget. This means we must make difficult decisions to ensure that resources are used in a way that is fair and sustainable across all tenants and schemes.

We also want to clarify that no final decisions have been made, and we are continuing to gather feedback from tenants and communities. Your views are important and will be taken into account as part of this process.

Thank you for your message and for highlighting the many strengths of Nether Davah House. We fully acknowledge its excellent location on a bus route, close proximity to amenities, and the strong sense of community fostered by active social interaction—all of which contribute positively to tenants’ wellbeing.

We understand that the potential closure of such a valued scheme is upsetting, especially when it has consistently maintained high occupancy. However, it’s important to clarify that occupancy is only one of four key criteria used in our assessment of sheltered housing schemes.

All schemes were assessed using these same criteria to ensure a fair and consistent approach. While Nether Davah House performs strongly in some areas, other factors—such as the long-term investment required and infrastructure limitations—also had to be considered.

We want to reassure you that no decisions have been finalised, and we are continuing to gather feedback from tenants and communities. Your views are important and will be taken into account as part of this process.

Thank you for your thoughtful message and for highlighting the strengths of Nether Davah House. We fully recognise the strong sense of community, the active social committee, and the scheme’s proximity to local amenities, including the bus stop directly outside. These are all valued aspects of the scheme and have been carefully considered.

We want to reassure you that no decision has been made yet. As part of our review, all sheltered housing schemes were assessed using the same set of criteria, which included:

• Building condition and future investment needs
• Accessibility and infrastructure (e.g. lifts, fire safety systems)
• Occupancy trends over time
• Location and access to services
• Suitability for future service delivery models
• Cost-effectiveness of ongoing operation and potential upgrades

While Nether Davah House has consistently high occupancy and a strong community, other factors—such as the cost of bringing the building up to modern standards, its long-term adaptability, and infrastructure limitations—also had to be weighed. In some cases, schemes that may appear more costly to upgrade were found to have greater long-term potential for adaptation or redevelopment, which influenced their status in the review.

We understand that the potential closure of a well-loved scheme like Nether Davah is deeply upsetting, particularly when it has played such a positive role in residents’ lives. Please know that support for tenants is a top priority, and we are committed to working closely with tenants to ensure any transitions are handled with care, compassion, and respect.

Why Some Schemes Are Prioritised for Investment

As a social landlord, Aberdeenshire Council has a duty to ensure that limited Housing Revenue Account (HRA) funds are invested where they will have the greatest long-term benefit for tenants and communities. This means carefully assessing each housing scheme based on:

• Building condition and upgrade costs
• Current and projected demand
• Accessibility and suitability for modern needs
• Location and access to services

In the case of Nether Davah, the assessment indicated that the cost of bringing the building up to modern standards—including accessibility, energy efficiency, and safety—would be disproportionately high compared to its long-term viability and demand. This does not mean the building has no value, but rather that the investment required may not deliver the best outcome for future tenants.

There is no plan for the future of the scheme because the decision to close has not been made yet. The site is currently part of a wider review of 17 sheltered housing schemes across Aberdeenshire, which is being carried out to assess long-term sustainability, condition, and suitability for current and future needs. 

1. Legal and Financial Framework

• The HRA is a ring-fenced account, meaning all income (mainly from tenant rents) and expenditure related to council housing must stay within the HRA.
• If a property is sold, the proceeds must be used for housing purposes—they cannot be transferred to fund general council services.