{"id":590386,"date":"2025-11-24T08:06:45","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T08:06:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/590386\/"},"modified":"2025-11-24T08:06:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T08:06:45","slug":"decisions-loom-on-trio-of-edinburgh-tower-block-demolitions-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/590386\/","title":{"rendered":"Decisions loom on trio of Edinburgh tower block demolitions"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Decisions<\/p>\n

Westfield Court (Google Street View)<\/p>\n

Plans to demolish three Edinburgh tower blocks are set to go before councillors early next month, including one where pipes leaking sewage into people\u2019s homes cannot be repaired.<\/p>\n

The eight-storey Westfield Court in Gorgie was built in 1952 and is said to be nearing the end of its lifespan. A report to the City of Edinburgh Council\u2019s housing, homelessness and fair work committee says there have been ongoing leaks from waste pipes for at least 10 years.<\/p>\n

It continues: \u201cIn some cases, wastewater has penetrated tenants and owners\u2019 homes and caused extensive damage including partially or fully collapsed ceilings.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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The waste pipes are housed in shafts which can only be accessed from inside people\u2019s flats. The shafts are narrow, long, have no safe access\/working platforms and contain asbestos, the report added.<\/p>\n

The June 2025 condition survey revealed worsening problems with failing risers and waste outflow pipes, with repairs deemed uneconomical. Although fire safety works have been completed, councillors were told the building\u2019s overall condition had deteriorated significantly.<\/p>\n

Housing convener Cllr Tim Pogson said:\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s just not a situation that we want at all. I can\u2019t think of anything worse than having dirty water, sewage coming into properties. It\u2019s completely unacceptable on all grounds.\u201d<\/p>\n

The council currently owns about a third of the flats in Westfield Court and would need to buy out the remaining owners before demolition could proceed. Options for the site include investment, redevelopment, or sale.<\/p>\n

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Members of the committee will also consider whether to approve the demolition of Oxcars Court and Inchmickery Court in Muirhouse.<\/p>\n

The two blocks, each 10 storeys high with 75 flats, were originally earmarked for a major refit to tackle damp, improve insulation, and overhaul electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems. But costs have surged<\/a> from \u00a351.4 million to \u00a386m, with officers warning that refurbishment no longer represents \u201cvalue for money.\u201d<\/p>\n

A council report outlines three options:<\/p>\n