![\"inchmickery_ii\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/inchmickery_ii.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFriday November 21st 2025<\/p>\n
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Inchmickery Court, Muirhouse<\/p>\n
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Joe Sullivan<\/b><\/p>\n
Plans to demolish three Edinburgh tower blocks have been announced by council officials ahead of a critical meeting early next month.<\/p>\n
Councillors will consider whether to sign off on the demolition of Oxcars Court and Inchmickery Court in Muirhouse, and Westfield Court in Gorgie, over a range of concerns.<\/p>\n
A report going before the December 2 housing committee meeting states that the cost of a refit project for the Muirhouse blocks is now more than the cost of rebuilding them.<\/p>\n
Most residents in Inchmickery Court had already been moved out of the building in anticipation of the plans going ahead, while Oxcars Court is still largely occupied.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a separate report states that the condition of Westfield Court has reached a point where it is not \u2018practically or financially viable\u2019 for continued investment to be made.<\/p>\n
It represents a major change in the council\u2019s stance on the issues facing the 73 year old building, with the long-standing plan being to work to mend its various issues.<\/p>\n
The report details that some waste outflow pipes in the building have apparently reached a critical point, with repairing or replacing them being uneconomical.<\/p>\n
The blocks in Muirhouse are entirely owned by the council, while Westfield Court has a minority of council tenants, with the city serving as a factor.<\/p>\n
Housing convener, Labour councillor Tim Pogson, said while discussing Westfield Court that the council had the interests of tenants at heart.<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cIt\u2019s just not a situation that we want at all, I can\u2019t think of anything worse than having a situation where dirty water, sewage is coming into properties.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s completely unacceptable on all grounds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cllr Pogson took over the role last month after its former holder, Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron, was removed from it by the council\u2019s Labour group.<\/p>\n
It came over concerns about comments Cllr Cameron made which appeared to support a rethinking of the council\u2019s policy on having a certain percentage of new homes be affordable.<\/p>\n
The shock plans to demolish Westfield Court came together after the building\u2019s condition was found to have had worsened since a June 2025 condition survey.<\/p>\n
Many of the issues with the building centre around failing risers inside the building, which carry utilities up to properties above the ground floor.<\/p>\n
The report covering the block noted that all \u2018previously notified\u2019 works to address fire safety in the structure \u2013 a major concern in recent months \u2013 had been completed.<\/p>\n
In order to carry out the demolition, the council would need to buy out all the other owners in the building, up from its current position where it owns about a third of the flats.<\/p>\n
The report covering it says that \u2018next steps\u2019 would be considered for the building\u2019s site, including \u2018invest\u2019, \u2018redevelop\u2019 and \u2018sell site\u2019.<\/p>\n
In the two Muirhouse blocks, the council \u2013 in owning all the flats \u2013 does not need to buy out any private homeowners to enable them to carry out the works.<\/p>\n
According to the report covering the two blocks, Inchmickery Court still has one tenant left, while Oxcars Court has 68.<\/p>\n
If councillors approve the demolition plans for the Muirhouse buildings, work to remove the existing tenants will start early next year.<\/p>\n
It is proposed that a new development of around 150 units \u2013 matching the number currently on site, would be built.<\/p>\n
However, options for a larger redevelopment with over 300 units are in consideration. A price estimate of around \u00a345 million was given for a 150-bed development.<\/p>\n
Councillors will consider the demolition plans at the next full meeting of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee, which you can view here<\/a>.<\/p>\n