At 73 years old, Westfield Court is the oldest residential tower in Edinburgh- but is now facing a vote from the Council on remediation or demolition
Edinburgh’s oldest residential tower contains 94 homes across mixed tenure. 32 are owned by the local authority, who are now considering whether to acquire the private homes and proceed with demolition, or commit to costly remediation works.
A building condition survey revealed in June that “many significant repairs and maintenance requirements” were needed at Westfield Court. A further report added that two of the issues on the list had advanced so much as to cause “significant concern” since the summer.
Repairs would be “unpalatable” and “unaffordable”
Issues identified included soil vent pipes leaking into homes and causing “extensive damage” such as collapsed ceilings. Westfield Court’s waste pipes are housed in long, narrow shafts that can only be accessed from inside resident’s flats. There are no safe or working access platforms to these shafts, which contains asbestos.
Although fire safety works have been implemented, the building’s condition has overall deteriorated. Rainscreen cladding panels on the outer facade are also degrading.
Housing convener councillor Tim Pogson said: “It’s just not a situation that we want at all. I can’t think of anything worse than having dirty water, sewage coming into properties. It’s completely unacceptable on all grounds.”
The report told the city council’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee that addressing all potential remediation works could exceed costs of £20m- acknowledging that this would be “unaffordable for owners” and “unpalatable for the council”.
The committee will meet on 2 December to discuss next steps for Westfield Court
The report advised Edinburgh Council to “consider purchasing privately owned properties as a tenanted acquisition in accordance with the council’s acquisitions policy where appropriate to do so”- supporting “private owners where necessary to secure new accommodation”- and proceeding with demolition when it has complete authority over the tower.
Redevelopment works on the site should increase the number of social housing units, the report added, with “the option for current tenants to return to the site”.
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