The works would see insulation and other interventions to reduce damp and mould added, as well as repair and upgrade works to building services
Craigmillar and Peffermill Court.(Image: Google maps)
Two Edinburgh tower blocks are set to be refurbished and upgraded as part of an almost £22m package of proposed works.
Peffermill Court and Craigmillar Court, both in Craigmillar, would benefit from the works, which will go before councillors next Thursday for approval.
Both built in 1968, each block is 15 storeys tall, and contains 57 two-bedroom flats, with all properties in each owned by the council.
According to a report to the city’s finance committee, both blocks suffer from issues with mould and damp, in part due to no insulation being present inside them.
The £21.7m works will aim to remedy this by adding insulation, and improving air ventilation and heat recovery in flats in the buildings – which could also bring down heating costs.
Fire safety will also be improved, with fire doors added, sprinklers installed in all flats and automated vents installed in each common landing.
In places where they are near end-of-life or difficult to access, ‘almost all’ mechanical, electrical and plumbing services will be replaced.
CCTV coverage will be added in common areas of the building, and communal spaces will be formed on the ground floor of each block.
Improvements will also be made to the outdoor area around the blocks, with more trees planted, allotments expanded and a playpark improved and renovated.
The report says a number of residents answering a survey had responded negatively when asked how easy their homes were to heat, and if they had issues with damp and mould.
It adds that eight more council-owned housing blocks are far along in design works towards eventual refurbishment works.
The Finance and Resources Committee will next meet on Thursday, 15 January. You can view more information here (https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=140&MId=7620).